A statement, issued on Monday last week by the Directorate of Presidential Communications at State House in Dar es Salaam, said the president made the order during his visit to the regulator Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau’s headquarters.

Magufuli said PCCB should focus on investigations related to issues of corruption implications, including 19,500 ghost workers, 56,000 families claiming financial assistance from the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), 5,850 students who secured loans, and 11 locomotive engines without contracts. 

The order was made a week after Magufuli expressed concern over the slow pace of investigations and convictions in the country.

In the statement, he urged the watchdog not to hesitate to take relevant measures if they have sufficient evidence in corruption charges, and asked them to take “a positive step”.

In another statement made earlier last month, Magufuli expressed his dissatisfaction with the procedures for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases.

He said if the country succeeds in reducing corruption by 80%, it will help solve numerous problems and as a result attract donors and investors.

Last year, Tanzania established a special court on corruption, economic and organised crime following Magufuli’s promise to prioritise the fight against corruption during the presidential campaigns in 2015.

During the 2015/16 year, there were 3,911 corruption cases where of 324 investigations have been completed.