Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema has expelled four MPs who it accuses of going against the party’s stand not to attend parliamentary sessions over coronavirus fears.
The expelled lawmakers are Anthony Komu, Joseph Selasini, David Silinde and Wilfred Rwakatare. At least 10 others have been asked to explain why actions should not be taken against them for disobeying the party’s instructions, The Citizen newspaper reports.
The Chadema party, which has 62 out of 383 seats in parliament, had earlier told its MPs to self-isolate for at least 14 days and stay away from parliamentary buildings in the capital, Dodoma.
The party’s decision followed the death of three MPs in less than a fortnight - though the deaths have not been linked to coronavirus.
The East African nation has not opted for strict lockdown measures although mass gatherings at funerals and weddings are banned.
Last week, police in the commercial hub Dar es Salaam asked some opposition MPs to voluntarily appear for questioning after boycotting parliamentary sessions.
The police's call came after the parliamentary speaker threatened to press charges of theft against the boycotting MPs.
The country has not updated its coronavirus cases since 29 April when it confirmed 480 coronavirus cases, including 167 recoveries and 16 deaths.