AfricaPress-Tanzania: BUSINESSES including shops and other household activities hotels in Chato Town were closed to give room to pay last respects to late President John Magufuli.
This paper visited the town’s suburbs to see how the residents were following up reports of the mourning of Dr Magufuli’s death and saw many people clustering around TV screens erected at the Old Bus Stand while many houses and shops were closed.
Timotheo Ludomya, a Chato businessman said some traders were forced to close their shops to join many other Tanzanians at the Soccer Stadium to pay their last respects to their beloved leader.
“As you can see these shops are closed, not because they have no goods in them or have been forced to close, but owners thereof have gone to pay their last respects to late Dr Magufuli, who has done a lot for this district,” he said.
For his part, Robby Chacha claimed that he has closed his restaurant to give the opportunity to himself and his staff to go to the Soccer ground to bid last respects to the late Dr Magufuli who was born at Rubambangwe village in Chato District.
Late President Magufuli has been Chato Member of Parliament for 20 years and drew the government’s trust by appointing him to various ministerial positions under Phase Three and Four governments.
Dr Magufuli is expected to be buried today at around noon at his Rubambangwe village, 2.5km from Chato town.
Dr Magufuli died on March 17 this year while receiving treatment at Mzena Hospital, Dar es Salaam.
