Msuya to be laid to rest on Tuesday

DAR ES SALAAM: THE late former Vice-President and Prime Minister Cleopa Msuya will be laid to rest on Tuesday in his hometown Usangi, Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region.

Speaking to journalists on the official funeral arrangements, Chief Government Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, TZ hails Pope Leo XIV Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Gerson Msigwa said the state funeral will be led by Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF).

He said the whole funeral and burial arrangement programmes have been approved by the National Committee for State Leaders’ Funerals, chaired by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, in collaboration with the late Msuya’s family.

“May 13th, this year will be the official burial day of the late former Premier Msuya. The day will begin with a special church service at the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCT) in Usangi, followed by a state funeral led by the TPDF. After the burial, tributes will be delivered by selected national leaders led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan,” he said.

Mr Msigwa said prior to the burial, President Samia will join other Tanzanians at a national prayer service on Sunday at the Karimjee Grounds in Dar es Salaam. He said the service will begin at 9:00 am and will involve various religious leaders.

He added that government officials and public will pay their last respects to the fallen former Premier.

“Tomorrow (today), Msuya’s body will be taken to his Upanga residence in Dar es Salaam for private family proceedings. The following day, the public prayer and farewell ceremony will be held at the Karimjee grounds from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm,” he said.

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Mr Msigwa added said on Monday, (May 12), the body will be flown from Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) and then transported by road to the Cleopa Msuya grounds in Mwanga where, leaders and citizens will get the opportunity to pay their last respects.

“After paying the last respect, his body will be taken to his home village of Usangi, where a short evening prayer service will be held in preparation for the burial the next day,” said Mr Msigwa.

He further said that the National Funeral Committee, led by Prime Minister Majaliwa and Second Vice-President of Zanzibar Hemed Suleiman Abdallah is continuing to coordinate all logistical aspects of the funeral, including body preservation, condolence messages, public farewells, transportation and burial arrangements.

Meanwhile the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) Chairperson Mr Deodatus Balile has expressed deep condolences to the family, friends and the public following the death of former Premier Msuya.

He described him as a man of great integrity and diligence that earned him the trust of national leaders. The late Cleopa David Msuya died at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, where he had been receiving treatment.

Msuya had been battling illness for an extended period and was treated at various hospitals both within and outside the country, including the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI)