Dar es Salaam. Kongwa district commissioner Saimon Mayeka said Thursday that authorities will reach out to individuals seen celebrating the death of former Speaker of Parliament Job Ndugai to determine their motives and have conversation with them.
He was responding to a viral video circulating on social media, which showed unidentified individuals in the district cheering and celebrating shortly after Speaker of Parliament Tulia Ackson announced the death of the former Kongwa MP (CCM).
Speaking to journalists, Mr Mayeka remarked: “This is something that, first of all, has shocked us. In Tanzanian culture and norms, this matter astonishes everyone—how can someone celebrate death? We know people can have enemies; he [Ndugai] was a politician who served for many years, so he couldn’t have been without adversaries.
“But we never imagined he could have enemies who would rejoice even in his death. Personally, it has deeply saddened me. However, I believe that after laying our brother to rest, we will have the opportunity to speak with those youths and that community to show them that this is not Tanzanian civility and that it is a culture we have never witnessed in Tanzania.
READ MORE: Tanzania’s Ex-Speaker Job Ndugai Dies at 65
“This incident has greatly saddened us, and I sincerely urge the people of Kongwa to remain calm, patient, and composed during this period until we have properly buried our brother.
“But most importantly, parents must guide their youth—the path they are taking is not good. We do not condone celebrating death when it befalls someone. Let us compete in politics and other social matters, but we must not lose our humanity to the point of rejoicing over someone’s death.
“We are all destined to die, and we should accept what has happened. But when someone passes, we must uphold their dignity. So, I plead with the people of Kongwa to remain calm in this matter; I know some are angered by this incident.
“Let me assure you—it is a very small group of people. Not the entire Kongwa holds such a stance.”
Meanwhile, government leaders and others have been visiting Mr Ndugai’s home in Njedegwa, Dodoma, to pay respects to the politician who served as an MP since 2000 and later as the National Assembly’s seventh Speaker.
READ MORE: ‘I Have Wronged’: National Debt Remarks Force Ndugai to Apologise
Among them was George Simbachawene, Minister of State in the President’s Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance, who praised Ndugai’s 2022 resignation as Speaker of Parliament as demonstrating ‘exceptional honor and courage in African politics
Simbachawene noted that Ndugai’s decision provided an important lesson: when a leader resigns for the public good, it’s not a sign of weakness but rather an act that builds respect.
