Tanzanian President Magufuli: Praised By The People As The Enemy Of Corruption, Considered Opponent Of Authoritarian Politics

Presiden Tanzania John Magufuli. (Sumber: issafrica.org)

JAKARTA - President of Tanzania, John Magufuli passed away at the age of 61. This sad news was conveyed by Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday 17 March, after more than two weeks of absence from the public which led to speculation about his health.

“Dear Tanzanians, it is very sad to announce that today is March 17, 2021, at around 6 p.m. We lost our brave leader, President John Magufuli, who died of heart disease at the Mzena hospital in Dar es Salaam where he is receiving treatment", the vice president on state television station TBC said.

Magufuli was known as 'The Bulldozer' because of his penchant for massive public works and his reputation for pushing policy despite opposition. His tough leadership style won support from many Tanzanians. He was admired by his followers for being hostile to corruption and waste.

However, his political opponents saw him as an authoritarian intolerant of dissent. He has also drawn criticism at home and abroad for what his opponents see as his eccentric handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Yes, Magufuli is indeed skeptical about COVID-19. He opposed wearing masks, imposing distancing, criticizing the lockdown, and calling the possibility of a vaccine part of a foreign plot to steal African wealth.

"Vaccines are not good. If so, then the white man must have brought the HIV/AIDS vaccine. Tanzanians have to be careful with these imported goods (vaccines). You must not think that they love you very much. This nation is rich, Africa is rich, everyone wants it", said President John Magufuli.

President of Tanzania John Magufuli. (Wikimedia Common / Tanzania Prime Minister's Office, Government of India)

Magufuli's skepticism didn't end there. His government also stopped reporting statistics for new cases and deaths in May last year, when it recorded 509 cases and 21 deaths.

Magufuli has questioned the coronavirus test kit, which he said gave positive results on goats and papaya fruit. He declared the pandemic was over and the economy was reopening.

This raised the concern of the World Health Organization (WHO), called on Tanzania to step up public health measures, prepare to distribute vaccines, and start reporting coronavirus cases and data sharing.

His career took off

Born in the village of Chato in the Geita region of northwestern Tanzania on October 29, 1959, John Pombe Magufuli was first elected to parliament in 1995 from his home constituency.

A former chemistry teacher, he quickly climbed the political ladder and served in various cabinet roles. He served as Deputy Minister of Works from 1995 to 2000, Minister of Works from 2000 to 2006, Minister of Land and Human Settlements from 2006 to 2008, Minister of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries from 2008 to 2010, and as Minister of Works for the second time from 2010 to 2015.

He also served as Chair of the South African Regional Development Community from 2019 to 2020. Successfully pioneering a political career, Magufuli tried his political bowels to the Presidential Election arena.

Running as a candidate for Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), the country's dominant party, he won the October 2015 presidential election and was sworn in on November 5, 2015.

During his first presidential campaign in 2015, he made headlines by doing push-ups at rallies to show his physical fitness to the office.

Its program is to reduce corruption and government spending while investing in the industry. Its cost cuts include canceling independence day celebrations and restricting foreign travel by officials.

He was re-elected for a second term in 2020, winning 84 percent of the vote on the ballot. Opposition calls Magufuli's second victory tainted by irregularities.

President of Tanzania John Magufuli. (Source: issafrica.org)

After being re-elected, he promised to build his agenda on fighting corruption and reducing wasteful public spending, steps that won him praise in his first term.

Magufuli, in an earnest fashion, will make unannounced visits to government departments. One time, he fired a senior manager at Tanzania's main public hospital, saying they weren't delivering.

He also cleared thousands of "ghost workers" from the government and reduced his own salary as part of spending cuts. He is also tough about taxes, especially for those who are less or avoid paying taxes.

In 2017, his government accused gold producer Acacia Mining of evading taxes and not announcing exports, with a $ 190 billion tax bill. Barrick Gold Corp, which owns the majority of Acacia and eventually bought it, agreed to pay Tanzania $ 300 million to settle taxes and other disputes.

Critics say Magufuli has led the slump in the political scene after his government arrested opposition leaders, suspended several newspapers, and restricted political demonstrations. The government has denied suppressing dissent.

On the economic front, he embarked on an ambitious infrastructure project with the hope of boosting East Africa's third-largest economy. This includes railroads, hydropower projects, and the rise of state airline Air Tanzania, costing billions of dollars in the process.

"Arrangements, burials are being carried out and announcing 14 days of mourning and flag-raising at half-mast. State television broadcasts sad and religious songs", said Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan.