Social media users are being investigated by Tanzanian authorities for allegedly disseminating erroneous information on Vice-President Philip Mpango’s health.
After being out of the public eye for more than a month, Mr. Mpango reappeared on Sunday, putting a stop to persistent allegations that he had passed away.
Nape Nnauye, the minister of information, has directed inquiries into the individuals disseminating the rumours.
According to Mr. Mpango, the untrue allegations spreading on social media have affected him.
The vice president was last seen in public on October 31, when he was speaking on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan at an online gathering of Southern African Development Community officials.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa had earlier cautioned the public against conjecture around his absence, which had caused great anxiety.
Where has the vice president disappeared to, wonder Tanzanians?
However, the vice president showed up unexpectedly at a Sunday service in Dodoma, the capital, and said that he was in good health and had not lost any weight.
“There have been photos circulating alongside a candle, and claims that I have passed away. It’s too early – I haven’t completed the job God sent me to do,” Mr Mpango said.
“I will return to my maker only when my time comes. I’m grateful for your prayers.”
Without providing any further information, he stated that he had gone overseas on “special duties.”
In response to Mr. Mpango’s appeal for social media users to exercise greater responsibility, the information minister directed the pertinent state authorities to take action against those who disseminated rumours regarding the vice president’s location.
Mr. Nnauye said on X (previously Twitter), “Any freedom that infringes on the freedom of another person amounts to disobedience of the law, we cannot have a society that views that as normal.”
He went on to say that his order was intended to “protect people’s freedom,” not to pose a danger.
He did not specify which legal provisions could have been breached.
Rumours regarding Mr. Mpango’s health have circulated previously as well.
The vice president said that his sister fainted in 2021 as a result of hearing false rumours about his death. He later met President Hassan at Chamwino State House on Sunday.
The Vice President was instructed by President Hassan to accept that he was a public figure and should be prepared for such rumours
