ARUSHA, Tanzania, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Tanzanian minister on Thursday resigned, saying he holds no grudges and respects President John Magufuli's will for those implicated in two corruption reports to leave office.
Tanzania's Minister of State in the President's Office responsible for regional administration and local government, George Simbachawene, said he decided to take that action to protect the image of the government and the nation.
"I am innocent on the issued and I have decided to leave office to pave way for further investigations," said Simbachawene.
"I thank President John Magufuli for having faith in me and appointed me to ministerial position and I would wish to support the government in an effort to help build the nation," Simbachawene said when addressing reporters in the country's capital, Dodoma.
Magufuli on Thursday received two reports on an investigation of Tanzanite and Diamond mines from the Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, which reveals massive corruption, tax evasion, among others, by officials.
Among others, the report mentioned former Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals, George Simbachawene, former Permanent Secretary for the Ministry Energy and Minerals, Eliakim Maswi and senior officials in the ministry.
