NAIROBI: 5 individuals, together with 4 youngsters, died in a suspected stampede throughout a public viewing of the physique of former Tanzanian President John Magufuli over the weekend, as regional leaders joined Tanzanians to pay their final respects to the controversial chief.
Magufuli was one in all Africa’s most outstanding COVID-19 skeptics and regardless that his authorities introduced that he had died of a coronary heart failure on Wednesday, opposition leaders and his critics cost that he died of issues from COVID-19.
Tens of 1000’s of Tanzanians got here out to view Magufuli’s physique at Uhuru Stadium within the nation’s largest metropolis, Dar es Salaam, over the weekend.
Suzan Mtua, 30, died with 4 school-age youngsters from the identical household when there was a stampede of individuals desirous to view the physique Sunday, Heri Mtua, a household spokesman, mentioned.
“The kids had demanded in addition they attend the funeral of President Magufuli,” he mentioned. “Later that day we acquired a name late night by an unknown particular person utilizing Suzan’s telephone.” The caller mentioned that the proprietor of the telephone had been taken to a hospital. However her physique was finally discovered on the morgue, he mentioned.
The kids have been aged between 7 and 12 years.
Lots of of peoples who attended the funeral fainted within the crush and authorities mentioned they’ll situation an announcement on Tuesday concerning the variety of individuals killed within the nationwide occasion.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was Magufuli’s vice chairman and succeeded him, was joined by 9 African heads of state on Monday for Magufuli’s state funeral.
Amongst them have been Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Felix Tshisekedi of Congo and Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, Azali Assoumani of Comoros, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Edgar Lungu of Zambia and Mogkweetsi Masisi of Botswana.
“We mourn the lack of our good friend, our brother, a tough employee,” Kenyatta, chairman of the regional bloc East African Group, mentioned.
“He confirmed us that, as Africans, we’ve the potential to liberate ourselves from dependence on foreigners. That we’ve potential as Africans to handle our economies and be sure that our individuals get justice,” he mentioned.
Magufuli had been lacking from public view since Feb. 27, when he swore in a brand new chief secretary after his predecessor died with what many speculate was COVID-19. For days authorities officers denied he was ailing claiming he was busy and the president will not be duty-bound to make public appearances.
Magufuli can be buried on Friday.
