Tanzania president John Magufuli discloses his salary on TV

Tanzanian president John Pombe Magufuli has disclosed how much he takes home every month as president of the East African country.

Speaking on a live television programme this morning, the 57-year-old leader nicknamed the ‘bulldozer’ said his salary was 9 million Tanzanian shillings. The amount translates to a little above $4,000 or £3,000.

Whiles addressing a local government agency – the Association of Local Authorities – Magufuli reiterated the need to combat corruption in all facets of government machinery.

“Some board members of public organisations used to travel all the way to Dubai to hold their meetings there just so that they could pay themselves a hefty amount of per diems. They certainly don’t like what my government is doing now,” he said.

He is famed for his controversial decisions since taking over as president in 2015. Despite winning praise for his anti-corruption stance, he has received a lot of flak from rights groups over clampdown on dissent, opposition and the media.

He was chosen as candidate of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. He won elections to succeed the outgoing Jakaya Kikwete whose final term run out.

Magufuli – then a Minister also picked Samia Suluhu as his deputy – she became the 10th Tanzanian vice-president but the first woman to hold the post.

Brief about John Pombe Magufuli

• He tells about his poor background, herding cattle and selling milk and fish to support the family.
• Prior to entering politics, he was a maths and chemistry teacher, he is an industrial chemist and holds a doctorate from Dar es Salaam university – he received it in 2009.
• Former political positions held: He served as lawmaker between 1995 – 2005 on the ticket of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party – the ruling party since 1961.
• He was a minister under the administration of his predecessor, Jakaya Kikwete. CCM chose him as leader after Kikwete served his constitutionally mandated two terms (2005 – 2015)
• Current Vice-President: He picked Samia Suluhu, 57. She became first female vice president but 10th person to hold the post.
• Family: Magufuli, a staunch Catholic is married to Mrs. Janet Magufuli and the couple have three children.