Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu has ordered that police officers with big bellies return to training in order to lose weight.
During remarks to commemorate the completion of officer training in Boma Kichaka Miba, Tanga, President Suluhu stated that police officers should not have large bellies in order to be effective at their jobs.
“As I was inspecting the parade, I noticed those leading the march were veteran officers and among them were big-bellied officers. I have seen big bellies. We are not supposed to have officers with big bellies,” she said.
She stated that the officers in question should return to the training facility and receive new training to ensure their fitness.
“They should come back here (for training) so that they shed them off and be swift again in executing their duties,” she added.
Ms. Suluhu took over the presidency after President John Pombe Magufuli died in March of last year.
Her remarks came two months after she fired the country’s Inspector General of Police before sending him as an envoy to Zimbabwe.
According to local media, Suluhu fired Simon Sirro on the night of July 19, 2022, amid allegations that he had a poor human rights record.
