PSC reviews 88 appeals, complaints

DODOMA: THE Public Service Commission (PSC) has reviewed, deliberated, and issued decisions on 88 appeals and complaints, rejecting 28 of the 63 appeals lodged by public servants.

Speaking to reporters in Dodoma on Tuesday, the Acting Secretary of the Commission, Mr John Mbisso, said the decisions were made during the Commission’s second meeting for the 2025/26 financial year, held from December 1 to 19 under the chairmanship of retired Judge Hamisa Kalombola.

Mr Mbisso explained that, of the 63 appeals considered, 15 were upheld unconditionally, while 14 were upheld on the condition that the respective disciplinary authorities restart the disciplinary processes.

Twentyeight appeals were dismissed, and six were struck out for being submitted beyond the legally prescribed 45-day timeframe. Regarding complaints, he said that out of 25 handled, 13 were upheld, six were rejected and six were struck out due to late submission.

Mr Mbisso highlighted that the most common offences identified in the appeals included absenteeism from duty, theft of public property, corruption, forgery of certificates and providing false information.

Other offences included violations of public service ethics, negligence causing losses to the government and failure to perform official duties properly. He further noted that complaints mainly concerned public servants’ objections over unpaid entitlements, including salaries, transfer allowances and other legally mandated benefits.

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Some complaints also involved unlawful removal from public service and unlawful termination of employment. During the meeting, 24 appellants and four respondents were granted permission to appear before the Commission to provide further clarifications on their appeals, in accordance with Regulation 62(1) of the Public Service Regulations of 2022.

In addition, five disciplinary authorities were summoned under Section 12(1) (g) of the Public Service Act to explain their failure to implement previous directives issued by the Commission. Mr Mbisso added that the Commission also reviewed the performance implementation report for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, assessing progress across various departments.

In line with its oversight mandate, the Commission conducted working visits to five government institutions: The Tanzania Tobacco Board (TTB), the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI), the Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA), the Morogoro Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (MORUWASA) and the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI).

“The objective of these visits was to educate employers, appointing authorities and disciplinary authorities on compliance with laws, regulations and procedures in human resource management,” Mr Mbisso said.

He added that the Commission also used the visits to inform public servants about their rights and responsibilities while executing duties in the public service. Mr Mbisso urged public servants to adhere strictly to laws and professional ethics to avoid violations that could attract disciplinary or social action.

He also called on employers, appointing authorities and disciplinary authorities to observe the law in handling employment matters to ensure that justice is not only done but is seen to be done. He emphasised the importance of timely submission of appeal and complaint documents, as well as quarterly human resource reports, which should reach the Commission within 30 days after the end of each quarter.

“Employers, appointing authorities and disciplinary authorities should implement the Commission’s directives promptly instead of waiting to be summoned before taking action,” Mr Mbisso said, stressing the need for proactive compliance.

Through these measures, the PSC aims to strengthen transparency, accountability and efficiency in the public service. By reviewing appeals and complaints, monitoring performance and educating both authorities and public servants, the Commission seeks to uphold the principles of fairness, justice and integrity in Tanzania’s public administration.