JUST IN: Magufuli, a man of action – President Mnangagwa

President Mnangagwa inspects a guard of honor after his arrival at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania. He was welcomed by Miss Lela Muhamed Mussa, Minister for Education, the revolutionary Government of Zanzibar

Zvamaida Murwira in Dodoma, TANZANIA
The late Tanzanian leader President John Magufuli was a man of action who worked tirelessly for the development of not only his country but the Sadc region and the whole continent, President Mnangagwa has said.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan consoles Dr Magufuli’s widow Janet Magufuli at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma this afternoon

He said President Magufuli was unwavering in matters of principle.

President Mnangagwa said this while addressing several heads of State and Government and Tanzanian citizens who thronged Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma, the official capital city of Tanzania this afternoon where a memorial service of Dr Magufuli is being held.

Several heads of State and Government are here, where they are paying their last respect to Dr Magufuli who died of a heart ailment last week.

The late President John Magufuli. Pic: Ericky Boniphace/AFP/Getty Images

President Mnangagwa flew to Dodoma this morning, a 40-minute flight from Dar es Salaam to join other leaders in mourning Dr Magufuli.

Thousands of Tanzanians lined up streets leading to the stadium from Dodoma Airport to catch a glimpse of the arrival of African leaders and the arrival of the body of their leader.

“He was a leader who led from the front,” said President Mnangagwa.