Tanzania’s parliament is in limbo after losing three lawmakers in a span of 11 days.
Justice Minister Augustine Mahiga succumbed to an unknown disease on Friday morning in the capital, Dodoma, President John Magufuli announced in an emailed statement.
Mahiga’s sudden death follows the demise of Getrude Rwakatare on April 20 and Richard Ndassa nine days later.
Although authorities haven’t given information on causes of the deaths, several sources speculate it could be Covid-19 as confirmed cases in the country jumped to 480 and 16 deaths in one month.
According to reports, Chadema party chairman Freeman Mbowe has urged its members to immediately stop attending parliament sessions and should not go anywhere near parliament offices.
The party also asked it’s lawmakers to go into self-isolation for 14 days on fears the coronavirus outbreak could be wider than reported.
On April 20, Deputy Speaker Tulia Ackson announced that one lawmaker, whom she didn’t identify, was infected with the virus.