Anti-Gay Tanzanian President, Who Said COVID Can Be Cured With Prayer And Smoothies, Dies Of Something

The New York Times reports:

President John Magufuli of Tanzania, a populist leader who played down the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic and steered his country away from democratic ideals, died on Wednesday at a hospital in the port city of Dar es Salaam. He was 61.

His death was announced on television by Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who said Mr. Magufuli had died of heart complications while being treated at Mzena Hospital.

The announcement followed more than a week of intense speculation that Mr. Magufuli was critically ill with Covid-19 — reports that senior government officials had repeatedly denied.

Read the full article. Magufuli first appeared on JMG in 2017 when he vowed to arrest gay activists because “even cows disapprove of homosexuality.” Tanzania is majority Christian and Magufuli was Catholic.

President John Magufuli of Tanzania, a populist leader who played down the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic and steered his country away from democratic ideals, died on Wednesday. He was 61. https://t.co/bY43NNJIVd

— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 17, 2021

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli dies at 61, officially of “heart illness”. Many Tanzanians believe it was Covid19, which his health minister said could be cured by a vegetable smoothie and prayer. He refused Tanzanians lockdown or vaccinations. https://t.co/NoDipcQp8N

— Lindsey Hilsum (@lindseyhilsum) March 17, 2021