Four children die in stampede at Magufuli farewell
Tanzania’s police are set to issue a detailed report after four children and one woman died in a stampede at a packed Uhuru Stadium as mourners gathered in the wake of John Magufuli’s death.
CAPE TOWN, March 23 (ANA) – Tanzania’s police were set to issue a detailed report after four children and one woman died in a stampede at a packed Uhuru Stadium as mourners gathered in the wake of John Magufuli’s
On Monday, John Magufuli’s body laid in state at the Uhuru Stadium, Dar es Salaam for the final day before being transported to Jamhuri Stadium in the country’s capital, Dodoma, where Magufili’s state funeral commenced, according to The Citizen.
It was at Uhuru Stadium where Suzan Mtuwa and her two children aged five and six, as well as the children’s 11-year-old and eight-year-old cousins, died as mourners swarmed a packed stadium to view and pay their last respects to Magufuli.
Authorities have not confirmed reports that have put the death toll at 40 from stampedes, BBC has reported.
“These last 24 hours have been really difficult for me. I feel relieved when I’m surrounded by people, but when I’m alone the amount of grief becomes overwhelming,” husband to Suzan and father of the five- and six-year-old, Dennis Mtuwa said.
“We will provide detailed information on what transpired at the Uhuru Stadium tomorrow [on Tueday],” Dar es Salaam police commander Lazaro Mambosasa said on Monday, The Citizen reported.
African leaders attend Magufuli’s funeral
Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, and the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Comoros and Botswana were all in attendance at Jamhuri Stadium on Monday, according to Al Jazeera.
A minute amount of Tanzanians and officials adhered to wearing face masks, as well as the visiting presidents.
President Kenyatta paused for two minutes during his eulogy as the Muslim call to prayer, known as the athan, was heard at Jamhuri Stadium from a nearby mosque in Dodomam The Star reported.
Nevertheless, Magufuli was remembered for being a true pan Africanist who tackled corruption head-on, however his legacy of stifling political and media freedom, as well as his approach to the Covid-19 pandemic echoes around the country.
Historic moment overshadowed by Covid legacy
On Friday, March 19 2021, Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially sworn in as Tanzania’s new president, making her the first woman and Muslim president of Tanzania. Deutsche Welle (DW) reported.
Hassan “took the highest oath of office in mourning,” she said as she urged Tanzanians to unite.
On Monday during Magufuli’s state funeral, Hassan assured that she will continue where Magufuli left off, The Citizen reported.
“Tanzania will continue to be a good neighbour and a good partner in regional and international co-operation. Our relationship will continue to be safer and stronger under my leadership,” she added.
The first woman US vice president Kamala Harris took to social media to congratulate Hassan, while the director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom reminded Hassan of where the Covid denialist and vaccine sceptic Magufuli failed.
The director-general said, “I look forward to working with you to keep people safe from #COVID19, end the pandemic and achieve a healthier [flag of Tanzania]. Together!”.
Magufuli will be buried in his home town Chato on Friday, March 26 2021
– African News Agency; Editing by Naomi Mackay
