Sorrow as Mgimwa body is received from S. Africa

The coffin bearing the body of Finance minister William Mgimwa is received at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam from South Africa yesterday. PHOTO | MICHAEL JAMSON 

By Athuman Mtulya,The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

• Accompanying the body were close family members including the widow, Jane. The body and the family then were driven to the VIP terminal

Dar es Salaam. Sorrow engulfed the Julius Nyerere International Airport yesterday when mourners received the body of Finance minister William Mgimwa who died in South Africa on Wednesday where he was hospitalised.

The South African Airways aeroplane which carried the body touched down at around 2:15pm. Accompanying the body were close family members including the widow, Jane.

Senior cabinet ministers including Mr Samuel Sitta (East African Cooperation), Dr John Magufuli (Works) and Ms Sophia Simba (Gender and Children) were among the mourners  at the airport.

The body and the family then were driven to the VIP terminal where other family members, ministers, MPs, government officials and members of the public had gathered to receive the body. It was driven home at 2:30pm where prayers were to be held.

Today, the body will be brought to Karimjee Hall at around 11:am and President Jakaya Kikwete will lead mourners to pay their last respects.

Uganda’s Finance minister Maria Kiwanuka is expected to deliver a message of condolences on behalf of other East African Finance ministers.

Other public figures  expected include the Speaker of National Assembly, Ms Anne Makinda; the leader of official opposition in Parliament, Mr Freeman Mbowe; CCM leaders and representatives from donor partners  who will also give their messages of condolences.

According to the timetable released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Mgimwa’s body will be flown to Iringa later today where he will be buried. at his village tomorrow.