Corruption in the public sector in Tanzania: an assessment of the government efforts against corruption under Mkapa regime

This study sought to find out factors that lead to persistent corruption in the Public Sector in Tanzania, despite the government intensive war against it. The study is approached using a combination of two perspectives - namely Functional and economic perspectives. Some literature shows that corruption is accelerated by numerous factors, ranging from poor remuneration to workers, rigid procedures and existing social networks. Based on a sample of 63 Public officials and 75 ordinary citizens, who comprised category A and B respondents respectively, it was found that corruption in Tanzania is largely caused by poor remuneration to workers and cumbersome bureaucratic procedures. Other factors, such as social networks, emerged as subsidiary factors. To wind up the study it is argued that the government would need to improve remuneration packages whereby it is argued that Tshs 174,285.70 ought to be the minimum wage. Furthermore, it is proposed that if the war against this evil is to be won, all outdated rules and regulations have to be repealed.