DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania's finance minister died on Wednesday at a hospital in South Africa after a long illness, officials said.
William Mgimwa, 63, was appointed finance minister in 2012 to restore public and donor confidence after the sacking of the former treasury minister and five other cabinet ministers over a corruption scandal.
"I have received the news of the death of our Finance Minister William Mgimwa with great sadness," Tanzania's shadow finance minister, Zitto Kabwe, said in a statement.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete last month visited Mgimwa at the Kloof Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.
"The passing of our Finance Minister, Dr. Mgimwa is a painful personal loss. One of the humblest politicians I know. RIP!" Tanzania's deputy communication, science and technology minister, January Makamba, tweeted.
Kikwete, who sacked four other ministers on Dec. 21 over rights abuses in an anti-poaching operation, is expected to announce a cabinet reshuffle this week, officials said.
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