CRIME

A dramatic encounter near Moshi on September 8 resulted in the killing of 14 Kenyans suspected to have been planning to raid the Exim Bank branch. The Police action is believed to have foiled the robbery attempt following a fierce exchange of fire. The Police recovered an AK47 rifle, five pistols and a sizeable number of rounds of ammunition plus passports and identity cards with the suspects’ bodies, Meanwhile, Police in Nairobi said they had been informed that the 14 were also planning to rescue six Kenyans facing robbery charges in Tanzania. The incident came a month after the arrest of two Kenyans in connection with a $180,000 bank robbery in Mwanga, Kilimanjaro Region. Following a tip-off, police arrested the two in a house in Arusha’s Njiro Estate and recovered seven guns, including two AK47 rifles with 85 rounds of ammunition, a light machine gun, five pistols with 35 rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades, two bullet proof jackets, bhang and US$ 845.

The two Kenyan suspects and 11 Tanzanians have been charged with murder and armed robbery at the National Microfinance Bank (NMB) Mwanga Branch. The incident occurred on July 11 this year and ended in the murder of a policeman – Guardian.
Eight people used pistols to rob and rape three British and Dutch tourists while they were at a function in the Njiro suburb of Arusha. They were robbed of cash and other valuables. Regional Police Commander for Arusha, Basilio Matei said there were some 12 tourists at the function. The victims were attacked shortly after the function was over and they were leaving at midnight. Police cordoned off all roads and the car used by the bandits was seized while they escaped – Nipashe.

The government announced in September sweeping measures meant to incorporate private sector involvement more fully into the country’s battle against the wave of violent and other forms of crime. Security and Public Safety Minister Harith Mwapachu said: “Sophisticated crime syndicates and networks with international links are becoming increasingly dangerous and a serious threat to our country’s peace and stability,’ He called on the private sector to furnish the force with as much reliable information on crime and criminal syndicates as it could lay its hands on. He implored the Tanzanian public to cultivate the recently reintroduced ‘neighbourhood watch’ culture, where everyone is expected to observe each of his or her neighbours’ movements – Guardian.

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