In early March, Innocent Bashungwa, Tanzanias Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, issued a warning specifically to the media to desist from spreading rumors about Magufulis whereabouts, who had not been seen in the public eye since February 27.
Mapema mwezi Machi, Innocent Bashungwa, Waziri wa Habari, Utamaduni, Sanaa na Michezo wa Tanzania, alitoa tahadhari kwa vyombo vya habari kuepuka kusambaza uvumi kuhusu  aliko Magufuli, ambaye wakati huo alikuwa hajaonekana hadharani tangu Februari 27.