Tanzania to redeploy pot-bellied policemen

Traffic police officers with pot bellies in Tanzania are to redeployed because they embarrass the police service, Interior Minister George Simbachewere said over the weekend, local media report.

He said, "They are not popular, how can a police officer have a pot belly?. Some of our police officers are using their uniforms to extort bribes from motorists. I'm urging all officers to abide by the law."

Mr Simbachewere ordered the police boss to reassign the officers.

A human rights activist tweeted saying that the policy should not lead to discrimination.

Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani, Mh.Simbachawene, amemuagiza IGP Sirro, kuwaondoa askari wa Usalama Barabarani wenye vitambi na kuwapangia kazi nyingine kwa wamekosa sifa. Angalizo tusije fanya kosa la ubaguzi kazini. Kumulika magari na kutoza fine hakuitaji maguvu. Labda kwa FFU pic.twitter.com/THAvpjVf1t

— Olaigwanani-Olengurumwa (@OlengurumwaO) May 23, 2020

Mr Simbachewere made the comments during a road safety event in the capital, Dodoma.