Be careful out there-Armed gangsters posing as game wardens

31 March 2010, 18:35

Two foreign tourists robbed at gunpoint in Arusha national park
By Lusekelo Philemon
31st March 2010

Two foreign tourists have been robbed of various items worth several million dollars at gunpoint in Arusha National Park, raising serious doubts about the security situation in the game sanctuary.

In the rare episode, three heavily armed gangsters posing as game wardens reportedly ambushed the tourists in the park located nearly 35kms north-east of the northern safari capital of Arusha.

The thugs managed to put the tourists under siege and ransacked them before walking away with hard cash, tourist bags, digital cameras and other valuable items.

Arusha regional police commander Basilio Matei confirmed the incident.

“My men, in collaboration with Tanzania National Parks Authority game wardens, are currently working extra time hunting for the armed hooligans,” Matei said.

Jeremiah Maka, a professional tour guide with Big Expeditions who was escorting the tourists, said the incident took place at Ngurdoto crater within the national park late last week.

Maka named the victims as Christina Lazano from Spain and Paulina Elago from Namibia.

According to him, the two tourists were resolved to visit the nearest park in Arusha after taking time off from participating in an international conference.

“This is a strange incident to happen within the maximum security national park. It is unbelievable indeed, no one can buy the tale,” Maka explained.

For his part, Big Expeditions executive director Nicholaus Minja made a passionate call to the police and TANAPA to apprehend the culprits behind the shameful incident.

"The latest robbery incident will tarnish the good image of the country, but I hope the police, in collaboration with TANAPA, will do something about this,” Minja stressed.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

DRSS
Life Member SCI
Life Member NRA
Life Member WSF

Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter
May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick.
And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too.
May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep.
May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip.
-Seth Peterson