Corruption in Tanzania: The Case for Circumstantial Evidence By ...

Edmond Mndolwa has highlighted the role played by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) in containing the menace of corruption. He contended that, though CAG has reported and will continue to report to parliament, his reports will continue to be read and quietly filed away in the normal manner. More action beyond filing of these reports is warranted to ensure that checks and balances among the organs of the state are maintained.¹³

Mndolwa has observed the failure of Tanzanian public corporations to deliver the expected goods and services, creating a favourable breeding ground for corrupt practices. He pointed out several reasons why these public corporations failed to deliver. The method of making the appointments of the chief executive officers (CEOs) of these corporations invariably involves intense lobbying and undue influence.¹⁴ CEOs appointed under such an environment will most likely succumb to corruption and undue jostling for favours.

1.2.2. Good Governance

Many social and economic scientists have attempted to define the term good governance from their perspectives without necessarily seeking to observe the concept from legal point of view. However, Kenneth K. Mwenda contended that a succinct legal definition of good governance remains elusive. Most of the definitions given are simply the restatement of existing concepts pertaining to constitutionalism, rule of law, accountability, transparency, and the doctrine of separation of powers.¹⁵ The meaning assigned by the World Bank to the term governance is the exercise of political power to manage a nation’s affairs.¹⁶ It implies predictable, open policy making; a bureaucracy with a professional ethos; an executive arm of government accountable for its actions; and a strong civil society participating in public affairs—all operating under the rule of law. The Tanzanian government defines good governance as the exercise of official powers in the management of the country’s resources for the betterment of life.¹⁷