Burial plans for late Tanzanian president John Magufuli underway

Newly inaugurated Tanzanian president Samia Hassan Suluhu has announced the burial date for her late predecessor John Magufuli who died on Wednesdy, March 17, in Dar-es-Salaam.

Suluhu announced on Friday that Magufuli (pictured) would be buried next week Thursday, March 25, at his rural home in Chato, in accordance with his wish.

According to the burial plans, the body will be moved from the mortuary to St. Peters Church in Dar-es-Salaam for a brief service before being moved to Uhuru grounds for public viewing today.

 The cortege will leave there and be moved to Dodoma on March 22, Monday, for public viewing after which it will be taken to Mwanza for another public viewing on March 23.

After that, all roads will lead to his rural home in Chato on the same day, where his constituents will have a chance to view the body.

On March 24, family members and all international and invited guests will have a chance to view before the burial day on March 25. 

Magufuli died on Wednesday in what the government reported to be a 10-year battle with heart condition. The vice president Suluhu took over the office as per the constitution. Suluhu was sworn in at a low-key ceremony that was attended by former heads of states Jakaya Kikwete and Ali Hassan Mwinyi among other state officials.