Tanzania:Opposition Leader says President Magufuli Evacuated To India for Covid-19 treatment
March 12, 2021
By Samuel Ouma
Opinions have been divided about the handling of COVID -19 in Tanzania by President Magufuli
Tanzania's Chief opposition leader Tundu Lissu has once again revealed that President John Magufuli had been flown to India from Kenya’s hospital.
Mr. Lissu said he was flown to the South Asian country while in a coma without verifying.
“Latest update from Nairobi: The Man Who Declared Victory Over Corona “was transferred to India this afternoon.” Kenyans don’t want the embarrassment “if the worst happens in Kenya.” His COVID denialism in tatters, his prayer-over-science folly has turned into a deadly boomerang!” tweeted Lissu.
The Tanzanian government has remained silent amid the growing pressure on the Tanzanian leader's whereabouts, who all along has played down the threats imposed by the Covid-19.
Tanzanians are demanding to know the real health status amid growing speculations that his condition is deteriorating.
Some prominent leaders in the country have also challenged the authorities to come out and reveal Magufuli’s health status instead of keeping the public in suspense.
“The President is a public servant, and he is accountable to the public. They must tell us if he is on holiday. And if he is sick, they should tell us. All information about the President’s health should be public,” said Maria lSarungi, a communication expert and online activist.
“It is not normal. He is a man who usually appears in public, even if it is to mock his political opponents and make his usual firm stance against this health crisis. President Magufuli is a public figure and anything that happens to him is a matter of public concern," Africa Reported quoted the secretary-general of the ACT Wazalendo party, Ado Shaibu.
Instead of responding to public demands, Tanzania’s constitution minister Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba dismissed the reports about Magufuli’s current health status, terming them "false" and "nonsense."
“The President is not a parish worker or duty presenter or jogging club leader to be in public every day. I warn everyone against spreading fake news. The penal code and cybercrime act remains valid for those who break the law,” he wrote on his Instagram page.
In the absence of official communication about President Magufuli from his government ,opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been the major source of information
Innocent Lugha Bashungwa – the country's information minister, had also warned the media against reporting false information.
“I call on our journalists and citizens to continue the process of obtaining information through official sources of information. Using rumours as official information is a violation of the laws governing the media industry. Avoid sharing information that you will be responsible for,” he tweeted.
The 61-year-old alias "The Bulldozer" last appeared in public on February 27, during a swearing ceremony at State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s capital.
