Sumbawanga — A VETERAN politician, Dr Chrisant Mzindakaya, has said that elders in Rukwa Region have saluted President John Magufuli's administration for its remarkable task of reforming the civil service and the fight against corruption and embezzlement of public funds.

Dr Mzindakaya is the chairman of the elders council in Rukwa. He said Dr Magufuli has started on a good note by tackling the scourge of corruption and restoration of discipline among public workers.

"This is a good beginning... Dr Magufuli has directed his efforts to checking mismanagement of public offices and restoring ethics in public institutions. With support from the public as well as elders, I believe we'll witness a lot of changes in future," he said.

"Elders and the 'wananchi' in Rukwa Region regardless of their political affiliations are impressed with the Fifth Phase Government under President Magufuli on how it has managed to control government expenditure and addressing mismanagement of public funds."

Dr Mzindakaya said this before the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Nape Nnauye who attended a meeting held here on Monday.

He said President Magufuli has restored public confidence in the government, which is now working for the best interests of the ordinary people. "He's brought hope to Tanzanians and restored public confidence in their government," explained Dr Mzindakaya, a distinguished former civil and Member of Parliament (MP) from the First Phase Government of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

Dr Mzindakaya used the occasion to surprise Mr Nnauye by giving him a souvenir photo taken when he (Mzindakaya) was with the minister's father, the late Moses Nnauye in 1978. "You're my son, I know your father, Moses, whom we worked together.

He was a honest, diligent and hard-working working leader," he said. "I used to keep this picture in my residence. Now I have decided to give it to you as you deserve it, " he added. Mr Nape could not hide his happiness: "Thank you very much indeed."