EFF says Magufuli was moulding a Tanzania independent of the West
The EFF said late president John Magufuli led his country with commitment, humility and always urged peaceful co-existence of citizens of Tanzania.
PRETORIA, March 18 (ANA) – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Thursday mourned the death of Tanzania’s strongman leader, President John Magufuli, describing him as a humble leader and a strong proponent of anti-corruption.
“The EFF has learnt with great sorrow the news on the passing away of the president of Tanzania, His Excellency, Dr John Magufuli. President John Magufuli led his country with commitment, humility and always urged peaceful co-existence of citizens of Tanzania,” the Julius Malema-led opposition party said in a statement.
“Dr Magufuli was a strong proponent of anti-corruption, rising to power as a crusader against nepotism, abuse of power and misuse of state funds. He was passionate about development in Tanzania, centring on education and infrastructural growth in an attempt to modernise Tanzania.”
The pan-African party said Magufuli was an advocate of Afrocentric economic and social development, with an idea of building Tanzania as an independent nation outside of the “overbearing scope of the Western world” and its influence.
“To the people and government of the Republic of Tanzania and the East African community, we extend our deepest condolences.”
On Twitter, EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu appealed to the people of Tanzania to observe Covid-19 health protocols and prevent the rampant spread of the killer virus.
“This disease is dangerous and the denialism must come to an end. All Tanzanians must wear masks, sanitise, and avoid mass gatherings,” said Shivambu.
Earlier on Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his deep sadness at the death of Magufuli.
Magufuli died on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in a Dar es Salaam hospital at the age of 61.
According to Tanzanian Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Magufuli died of heart disease that had plagued him for a decade.
In a statement, Ramaphosa said: “South Africa is united in grief with the government and people of Tanzania as they go through this difficult moment.”
Magufuli served as the fifth president of Tanzania and chaired the Southern African Development Community until August 2020.
Magufuli had not been seen in public for more than two weeks and citizens were asking questions about his disappearance.
Politicians tweeted last week that Magufuli had contracted Covid-19, but government officials denied those allegations and urged citizens not to listen to rumours, because their president was in good health.
In June last year, Magufuli declared Tanzania free of the coronavirus, stating that it had been eliminated by God, the BBC reported at the time.
He teased neighbouring countries which imposed health measures to curb the virus and urged Tanzanians not to wear masks.
On Thursday, Tanzania’s main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, said Magufuli had died from the coronavirus, calling his death “poetic justice” as the outspoken leader repeatedly downplayed the severity of the pandemic.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
