Tanzania's legislator calls for investigation into 'controversial' death of former President

By Osoro Nyawangah, DODOMA Tanzania 

Tanzania's ruling party legislator has called for support to push for creation of an independent Commission to investigate "controversial" death of former President,  John Magufuli.

Former President,  John Magufuli 

The 5th president of Tanzania who was one of Africa's most prominent coronavirus sceptics, died on March 17, 2021 aged 61.

After more than two-week absence from public life that led to speculation about Magufuli's  health, the Vice President Samia Hassan announced to the nation that the president died from the heart disease that had plagued him for a decade.

Three years later, the outspoken member of Parliament for Kisesa, Luhaga Mpina wants the parliament to investigate the death of former President who ruled the country for six years. 

"After listening in detail to the recent statement made by the retired Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), General Venance Mabeyo, which he gave on March 16, 2024, I am convinced and I am persuading my fellow Members of Parliament to allow the creation of an independent Commission to investigate the controversy surrounding the death of the Fifth President,  Dr.  John Joseph Pombe Magufuli to do justice to him and to the people mentioned either for good or bad in this matter." He said. 

Mpina who was a key minister in Magufuli's government argues that the retired CDF's revelations offer a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics that shaped Tanzania's transition of power.

He added, "Also, the commission will identify even the people who refused in the first place, swearing in of the Vice President to become President of Tanzania as per constitutional requirement."

"For the things said by the reliable leader of unquestionable institution,  there is a need for this commission to be created to."

Hon. Luhaga Mpina 

Following President Magufuli's death, many saw Tanzania's transfer of presidential power as a sign of national unity and stability.

However, recent revelations from the former Chief of Defence Forces, have shed light on the behind-the-scenes manoeuvres that unfolded during that critical period.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily News Digital on March 16, 2024, General Mabeyo disclosed that in the final moments of Magufuli's life, only a select group of defence and security chiefs had access to the ailing president.

This inner circle included Mabeyo himself, Intelligence and Security Director-General Diwani Athumani, and Inspector-General of Police Simon Sirro.

What followed Magufuli's death on March 17, 2021, was a series of decisions that diverged from the expected protocol.

Rather than immediately informing then-Vice President Samia Hassan, the defence and security chiefs opted to notify Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and Chief Secretary Bashiru Ally first.

In the interview, General Mabeyo recounted the deliberations among the chiefs, questioning, "Who should we tell first?"

Under the guise of urgent matters, he summoned Majaliwa and Bashiru to Dar es Salaam without disclosing the true nature of the situation.

"The prime minister and chief secretary were in Dodoma when the president died. We asked them to come to Dar es Salaam without disclosing what had happened to him. When they arrived in Dar es Salaam, I had to disclose to them that the president had passed away."