President John Magufuli, the fifth-phase president of Tanzania, has died of heart-related complications while receiving treatment at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced yesterday, March 17, 2020
“Dear citizens, with deep sadness, I’m informing you that today, March 17, 2021, around 6PM, we lost our brave leader, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli who died of heart-related complications at the Mzena Hospital, Dar es Salaam where he was receiving treatment,” VP Suluhu said during a live broadcast aired on the state broadcaster Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC).
According to the VP, President John Magufuli was hospitalized on March 6, 2021, at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) for heart electrical system problems, which had been troubling him for more than 10 years. He was discharged on March 7, 2021, to continue with his responsibilities, Ms Suluhu said.
“On March 14, 2021, [President Magufuli] felt unwell and he was rushed to the Mzena Hospital where he continued to receive treatment under the supervision of doctors from JKCI until he died,” VP Suluhu added in a voice that displayed deep sorrow and sadness.
Suluhu said that Tanzania has lost a bold leader and announced fourteen days of mourning with national flags flying at half-mast.
“Burial plans are being organized and you’ll be updated about them. Our country will be in the period of national mourning for 14 days where all flags will fly at half mast.”
President Magufuli will be the first president to die while in power in the history of Tanzania.
One Response
Personally, I’m in an unexplainable state (disbelief?) since the announcement of the President ‘s death by VP yesterday night. Yes, it’s said death among others is fast, but in the case of the President, it has been ‘fastest’,even unexplainable to me. To me I still don’t believe that he is gone! I’m even tempted to ask, ‘ God why this cruelity?