Zanzibar’s first vice President and ACT Wazalendo’s Chairman Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad has died at the age of 77.

This comes just days after his party (ACT Wazalendo) announced that the leader, his wife and aides had tested positive for the coronavirus.

“It is true I am at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital where I am being treated of Covid-19 and my wife has been isolated at home,” "Maalim Seif told Journalists.

Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi made the announcement on Wednesday, further declaring seven days of national mourning. The cause of death was not made clear.

Maalim Seif was on January 31, 2021 hospitalized at the Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar after he reportedly contracted the coronavirus.

He was on February 9, 2021 admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), in Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli has since sent his message of condolences to the people of Zanzibar following the death.

“I have received with profound shock the news of the death of Hon. Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, the First Vice President of Zanzibar. I send my condolences to the President of Zanzibar Hon. Dr. Mwinyi, Family, Zanzibaris, ACT-Wazalendo members and all Tanzanians. May his soul Rest in Peace,” Magufuli wrote on Twitter.