Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has died aged 61, the country’s vice-president has announced.
He died on Wednesday from heart complications at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Samia Suluhu Hassan said in an address on state television.
“It is with deep regret that I inform you that today… we lost our brave leader, the president of the Republic of Tanzania, John Pombe Magufuli,” Vice-President Hassan said in the announcement.
Magufuli had not been seen in public for more than two weeks, and rumours have been circulating about his health.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli, who drew widespread criticism for his denialism of the coronavirus pandemic, has died only five months after he won a second term in a disputed election.
Opposition politicians said last week that he had contracted Covid-19, but this has not been confirmed.
Magufuli was one of Africa’s most prominent coronavirus sceptics, and called for prayers and herbal-infused steam therapy to counter the virus.
Nicknamed “The Bulldozer” for his aggressive leadership style, Magufuli won early praise for tackling corruption, reducing wasteful government spending and improving the lives of peasant farmers by waiving dozens of taxes.
He also spearheaded the development of new transport links, power plants and more than 1,700 health centres, investments that helped Tanzania’s economy become one of the world’s top performers.
Magufuli also drove through controversial reforms aimed at ensuring the nation derived greater benefit from its natural resources, which put his administration on a collision course with foreign mining companies.
In 2017, the authorities asked Barrick Gold Corp.’s local unit to pay a whopping $190bn tax bill — a dispute the company settled by paying $300m and creating a mining joint venture with the state.
According to Tanzania’s constitution, Ms Hassan will be sworn in as the new president and should serve the remainder of Magufuli’s five-year team which he began last year.
Magufuli was last seen in public on 27 February, but Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa insisted last week that the president was “healthy and working hard”.
He blamed the rumours of the president’s ill-health on “hateful” Tanzanians living abroad.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. Most good Leaders, at least presidents die in office. Am not implying that these ones clinging to power are very poor, just saying better ones dies while saving in office.
When i saw Twitter photos of Military vehicles driven in DSM i knew his health had taken a sharp turn.Magufuli rest in peace.
He may have died in Nairobi Kenya where he’d been secretly whisked for medical attention. He was just 3yrs younger than Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
We could see this coming. Bulldozzer was stubborn, arrogant and in denial on Covid-19. Even though he had a PhD in Chemistry he denied Covid-19 is real. He refused to wear masks and implement Covid-19 Guidelines and now he has paid the price with his life due to Covid-19 Complications. As they say ignorance is no Defense. Magufuli made his bed and is now lying it. In Zambia there is a Third Term disease. If some one is not careful he will die of Third Term Syndrome and Complications. The writing is on the wall.
Magufuli had no listening powers. He was warned about the dangers of Covid-19 but he refused to implement Covid-19 Guidelines. Many Tanzanians have died from this disease in secrecy becoz Magufuli believed Covid-19 did not exist. Now Magufuli has paid the price with his life. In Zambia somebody is arrogant about a Third Term disease. Lets hope that person will not suffer from unconstitutional Third Term complications.
Rest in eternal peace child of God.
“Heart complications”
Covid denialism even in death.
RIPPING
“Heart complications”
Covid denialism even in death.
RIP
May his soul rest in peace.He was
One of African leaders who showed the world how government is run.Worked tirelessly to improve standard of
Living for Tanzanian .Let other
Leaders emulate his leadership.
Unfortunately his legacy is mixed, plenty of good and bad.Good economic policies and infrastructure development BUT extremely oppressive.Under his watch Tundu Lissu was shot 17 times.Internet restrictions, elections last year marred with disqualifying of opposition candidates,antangonism against Kenya etc.
SHAME :((
BUT Isn’t the the man who stated the corona virus is found in engine oil, fruit and veg ???
and why do we Africans also delay the actual passing and the real cause… just dont understand that
One positive is now a lady is taking over ……. she may well save that poor country
What a loss,i will miss you
Too bad, he was one of the most ardent pan Africanist of the modern era. His fight against corruption was one of the most genuine and successful undertaking ever launched by an African President. Maybe only surpassed by that of Kagame of Rwanda.
However, his biggest blind spot was his denial of the seriousness be of the Coronavirus. His casual attitude towards this disease may have caused him his life. I know politicians in his own Party are going to spin the cause of his death into something else, but I have read in several sources that he had contracted the Coronavirus. And the reported symptoms all pointed to a patient with a Coronavirus infection. That’s why sometimes self imposed ignorance of science can be fatal. It almost happened to Boris Johnson and Trump.
MORAL OF THE…
He did clean up Tanzania and develop it. Just visit Tunduma and compare to Nakonde you’ll feel embarrassed.
MORAL OF THE STORY: BELIEVE IN SCIENCE!!!
RIP Magufuli
Is this true ???
When we tell these PFools not take this pandemic lightly,they think we damn fools…mass gatherings everywhere!!!Even the top man himself was in forefront busy commissioning unfinished bridges or whatever you call them with masses of people behind him! And yet you claim numbers are reducing all because your minds are preoccupied with the elections that you will not even win! Covid is real imwe ba pompwe!! Just look at the man who was beating elderly people claiming they had disobeyed presidential directives,why can’t the same apply to him? Have the campaigns officially started???
This man thought covid was a hoax and now I think we should stay away from Tanzanians because there is a high risk of infection!!!
RIP JPM!
This should be a lesson to African Leaders who are arrogant,stubborn and in denial on Covid-19. Nobody is immune from this deadly disease. Magufuli denied that Covid-19 exists and allowed Super Spreader gatherings like Church Services, Funerals, Weddings, Political Activities etc to continue. As a result many Tanzanians have died from Covid-19 but buried in secrecy. A vice President in Zanzibar and other Senior Officials in the Tanzanian Govt are known to have died from this disease. Now Magufuli has died from Covid-19 Complications. Arrogance,stubbornness and Denialism in anything doesn’t work. In Zambia the advocates for an illegal and unconstitutional Third Term better take note. To be warned is to be forewarned.
Magufuli died from Heart/Covid-19 Complications. In Zambia somebody might die from Third Term Syndrome and Complications.
The man passed on several weeks ago. They always delay the announcement until their secret service is everywhere and ensures no complications in the leadership structure.
Alas, they are claiming heart disease but he died due to covid. Foolishly enough, all of his cabinet was led to believe there is no covid.
In Tanzania they had a Covid-19 Bulldozer while in Zambia we have our own illegal and unconstitutional Third Term Bulldozer. What is common between the two Bulldozers is Arrogance, Stubbornness and Denialism. The year 2021 is a year of Bulldozers. Time will tell.
Science is not witchcraft…. end of the day coronavirus has proved a point
The cost of ignorance
This is the man who was doing press ups at his campaign rallies 6 years ago to prove that he was healthy even though he knew he had heart complications but as soon as he got elected he hid everything like most African Presidents…when this rumour of him being sick in a Kenyan hospital started last month his people like always in Africa and Zambia pushed it aside as fake news when he was critical now this “sudden” news. Moral of the story is tell people the truth and thoroughly check all Presidential candidates.
The BULLDOZER has done a lot for his country in 5 years what some lazy corrupt Presidents and govts have failed to do in 20 years.
MHSRIP.
My condolences comment is awaiting moderation…seriously
What a loss to the Africa.
Very sad development and he was indeed a real patriot and true leader.MHSRIP
Next stop meno meno
Lessons to Africans….Christian prayers dont work…Magufuli rubbished all the science even the data on covid-19 costing his country countless lives and opted for religion to fight covid even attended church every Sunday!!
Let there be open acceptance in TZ now that Covid is real so people can have access to treatment, sensitisation, masking up, social distancing and agreeing to vaccination. Too many people have lost their lives due to this denial, it was business as usual in midst of the pandemic, churches remained open, airports etc. Last week it was reported 60 nuns and 25 priests lost their lives. Leadership is also about preserving peoples lives. In Zambia at least ECL leads by example, social distancing and masking up in public. Also muzzling of free speech, social media and blacking out internet no good.
One thing I’ll give Magufuli respect for, he never tolerated the freedom of st.u.p!.dity. He put the bloodsucking mining multinationals in their place and spearheaded valuable infrastructure projects. He won’t be remembered as a “GDP” western influenced president as he focused on localised economic methods while Africanising “press freedoms” as many pro-western journalists and opposition characters were given firm lessons on respecting African cultural standards. Farewell, Son of Africa, farewell m’zee.
Good Presidents are dying and we are being left with …
It is not fair. This man transformed Tanzania within 5 years from a broke busted country to one Tanzanians are proud of. Of course he had dictatorial tendencies, but if such are used to fight corruption, they are most welcome. Some dictators just use the power to steal, kill and remain in office forever while impoverishing their people. Magufuli has done all this with a debt of only $6 billion.
Good Presidents are dying and we are being left with …
It is not fair. This man transformed Tanzania within 5 years from a broke busted country to one Tanzanians are proud of. Of course he had dictatorial tendencies, but if such are used to fight corruption, they are most welcome. Some dictators just use the power to steal, kill and remain in office forever while impoverishing their people. Magufuli has done all this with a debt of only $6 billion. In 6 years!!!
Hudson mm March 18, 2021 At 8:39 am
Is this true ???
WHO KNOWS MAYBE HE’S IN DUBAI ??????????
THIS IS AFRICA
MHSRIP, he did an incredible job in bringing Tanzania back to sanity. However, he did not believe that Covid was real and refused to do what other nations did to reduce the number of infections and bring it under control. Sometimes our ignorance is what kills us.
I wish it was Lungu, Kaizar Zulu, Bowman, Kanganja and Kampyongo. These are the thugs that deserve death not good dignified leaders who put Africa and their people first. Lungu and Museveni are the evil ones that their deaths would be welcomed from all angles of the continent except for the looting thugs like Kaizar Zulu and company. Lungu is the most useless traitorous worst dictator Africa has ever seen. I pray the new strain of the coronavirus can locate him and sort this evil creature out.
I warned that Presidents die. How shall they be remembered? Is it as the man who ran the country’s economy aground or who lifted millions out of poverty? Is it as the man who let corruption run rampant or who vanquished corruption? Is it as the man who lifted the country out of debt or as the man who dug the deepest debt hole the country has ever known? Is it as the man who allowed the rule of law and democracy to flourish or the man who let the police brutalise his people and pummeled them into servile fearfulness?
Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. What will be your legacy when the call comes?
TARINO IT APPEARS YOU ARE TOO WESTERN AND INTELLIGENT FOR THIS SIGHT :)) :)) AND YOUR BLOGS GO RIGHT OVER THE HEADS OF MOST
YOU MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MOST OF US ARE STILL LIVING IN THE DARK AGES WHERE WITCH CRAFT AND MUTTI STILL PLAY A PROMINENT
PART AND WE LIVE IN FEAR OF PROPHETS…….. BEAR WITH US WE WILL CATCH UP BUT MAYBE NOT IN OUR LIFE TIME
Covid 19 was manufactured to bring in the new world order, which will in the end enforce the mark of the beast. Any one opposing it will be kill. God knows they killed mugufuli just as they killed the President of Burundi last year just because they were resisting WHO, Bill Gates and their evil agenda. Just 3 weeks Bill Gates and WHO were threatening to bring him to order to day he is dead. Some of us know he died for the cause of truth.
Covid 19 was manufactured to bring in the new world order, which will in the end enforce the mark of the beast. Any one opposing it will be kill. God knows they killed mugufuli just as they killed the President of Burundi last year just because they were resisting WHO, Bill Gates and their evil agenda. Just 3 weeks Bill Gates and WHO were threatening to bring him to order to day he is dead. Some of us know he died for the cause of truth…
In Tanzania they had a Bulldozer who refused to believe Covid-19 is real and exists. In the end the Bulldozer’s life was ended by Covid-19 Complications. Magufuli paid the price of demeaning Covid-19. In Zambia we have our own Bulldozer who is bulldozing an illegal and unconstitutional Third Term. He refuses to believe that he held Office ,was elected and sworn in twice and therefore doesn’t qualify to stand for the third time. This Zambian Bulldozer runs the risk of being vanquished thru Third Term Eligibility Complications. ECL needs to listen to SC Sangwa and other Constitutional Lawyers on his Eligibility issues.
HOW DID THIS MAN DIE, MMM? THESE ARE THE LEADERS AFRICA NEEDS. WHO CAN STAND UP TO NONSENSICAL CRAP FROM THE WEST.
AS THEY COMMONLY SAY: REST IN PEACE, JOHN MAGUFULI.
“In 2017, the authorities asked Barrick Gold Corp.’s local unit to pay a whopping $190bn tax bill — a dispute the company settled by paying $300m and creating a mining joint venture with the state.” HE WAS GREAT. ATI BALLY WILL FIX IT. FIX WHAT? YOU CAN’T FIX YOUR ECONOMY BY BRINGING BACK THE ANGLO-AMERICAN CORPORATION THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND SPONSORED BY THE USA AND BRITAIN AS A CONVEYANCE VEHICLE TO EFFECT UNDERDEVELOPMENT POLICIES BY THE TWO COUNTRY SPONSORS. ANGLO-AMERICAN CORPORATION HAS INSTRUCTION FROM THE UK AND USA TO ONLY EXTRACT THE MINERAL RESOURCES IN THE COUNTRY IT IS OPERATING.IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO PROCESS METALS IN THE COUNTRIE OF EXTRACTION. PROCESSING OF THE METALS MUST BE DONE IN THE UK AND USA WHERE MORE INDUSTRIES AND JOBS WILL BE CREATED. IT IS A STRICT…
FROM 44
…IT IS A STRICT INSTRUCTION FROM THE TWO COUNTRIE, PERIOD. BALLY HIMSELF HAS BEEN GIVEN INSTRUCTION TO UNDER-DEVELOP HIS OWN COUNTRYAND THAT’S WHY HE IS HELPED WITH CAMPAGIN FUNDS EVEN IF HE LOSES ELECTIONS. ATI BALLY WILL FIX IT.
WISE TIMING YOU HAVE LOST THE PLOT
Covid 19 cannot be crossed when you’re in denial.
May His Soul Rest in Internal Peace.
I loved him for his sorting out crooks in public service with fake academic and professional qualifications.
That said, pafwa bantu; pashala bantu.
For it is written.
Covid 19 cannot be crossed when you’re in denial.
May His Sow Rest in Internal Peace.
I loved him for his sorting out crooks in public service with cooked academic and professional qualifications.
That said, pafwa bantu; pashala bantu
Eiissssh! Our Tanzanian brother and sisters got lucky this time around.
RIP comrade. Interestingly the news articles state that the vice president will take over to finish off the term of the deceased. The clue is in the word finish off. Meanwhile here some Bush pigs in upnd are saying that our president cannot stand because finishing off the late MC satas term was equivalent to one term. Upnd are f00ls
TIKKA- I am not too “Western” I am just conscious and what you call witchcraft is artically herbal medicine and herbal lifestyle which cures and heals unlike Western medicine.
@Tarino this is like another Tanzanian “Maji Maji Rebellion” where they believed in juju powers to stop white man’s bullets.They still died like flies in the massacre…so Magufuli and top Tz officials have died.
A great loss for our Tanzanian neighbours and the African continent as a whole. No doubt he had his weaknesses like all of us but he definately had the courage to take the bull by the horns and did not allow others rule his country’s destiny.
@Truth Seeker your post #10 is very spot on. All true ,Well said .
Never be cheated by the west, Magufuli was a good president. Revenue generation and a stoppage of wasteful expenditure is key to the success of any developing country.
1. banned personal to holder vehicles for all Ministers, permanent secretaries and directors
2. Made sure mines paid a share of their taxes and this is what brought him problems with the west and big multinationals
In Zambia the biggest problem we have is debt, HH what is your solution to zambia’s debt.
@KZ … For ECL, and Constitutionally, it’s not about ‘finishing off a term’, it’s about how many times he was elected to ‘hold office’. He was not Vice-President to continue the term in 2015. He has held office twice, period.