Former deputy Minister to be buried in Arusha next week

President Kikwete signs Mr Sumari's condolence book

The burial ceremony of the former Deputy Minsiter for Finance and Economic Affairs Jeremiah Sumari is expected to be held next week in his home village in Arumeru District, Deputy Speaker Job Ndugai has said.

The details on burial arrangements, however, would be released later after consultations between the Bunge office and the family of Mr Sumari, who had been ill since he was re-elected in 2010. He was also the founder of Solomon Stockbroker Ltd..

At the same time the Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr Thomas Kashililah confirmed that Mr Sumari was sworn-in, but added that he still would have been recognised as an MP even if he had not taken oath because a person is considered a duly elected legislator once the National Electoral Commission declares him or her the winner of a parliamentary election.

Mourners will pay their last respects in Dar es Salaam tomorrow (Saturday) after which the body will be taken to Arumeru.

The head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, Dr Alex Malasusa, said at Mr Sumari’s Mbezi Beach residence that the late MP was a devout worshipper and resourceful church elder.

President Jakaya Kikwete sent his condolences to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Anne Makinda.

“I have received with profound shock and sorrow news of the death of Honourable Jeremiah Solomon Sumari. He was a leader who selflessly served his Arumeru East constituents and the nation in his capacity as a minister,” the President said in his message.

The opposition Chadema sent a condolence message to Mr Sumari’s family, Parliament and CCM.

The Arumeru East MP-cum-stock broker died at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute where he was battling a brain cancer.Mr Sumari, who served in that post between 2005 and 2010, becomes the third MP to die after the October 2010 General Election.

The first was Mr Mussa Khamis Silima, who died after he was involved a road accident in Dodoma last August.  He represented the Zanzibar House of Representatives in the National Assembly.Last Saturday, Chadema lawmaker Mtema died in a road accident at Ruvu in Coast Region.  She was buried in Ifakara District on Wednesday.

Source: The Citizen www.thecitizen.co.tz reported by Mkinga Mkinga and Frank Aman in Dar and Mussa Juma in Arusha

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