John Magufuli has not appeared in public since February 27, a rare event for the one usually seen every Sunday at Mass. So since the beginning of the week, speculations about his state of health have been widespread.
as reported from Nairobi, Albane Thirouard
It all started with a Kenyan diary referring to hospitalization in Nairobi because of Covid-19 by a senior African officer with reference to details reminiscent of the Tanzanian president. One rumor was repeated in particular by one of his political opponents, Tundu Lissu, who confirms that the head of state would then have been transferred to India. Information denied by Tanzanian authorities: “Tanzanians, your president is in good health, he is working in his office,” Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said on Friday. He said he spoke to John Magufuli by telephone that morning. According to him, the head of state would have a very busy work schedule and not leave him time to perform in public.
The day before, the Minister of Constitutional Affairs had already tried to cut off rumors on Twitter, writing in particular that the president “was not the leader of a running club that had to go on the streets every day”. He had also threatened lawsuits, which they passed on social media rumors of the president’s Covid-19 pollution. The Minister of Information urged citizens to obtain information from official sources.
Without hard evidence, these statements do not seem convincing. Opponent John John Mnyika, Secretary-General of the Chadema Party, reacted in particular to the Prime Minister’s speech and confirmed that the latter was lying.
Faced with the epidemic, President Magufuli has repeatedly ignored health measures and claimed that Covid-19 has been defeated thanks for prayers or could be cured by natural means. Last month, however, he had changed his speech by urging to wear a mask.
.
