THE GOVERNMENT has declared a sustained war against armed bandits from neighbouring countries who were hell-bent at perpetrating robberies in Tanzanian banks and money shops, saying "we have had enough of those crimes".
Addressing a press conference here over the weekend, the Minister for Public Security and Safety, Mr Bakari Mwapachu said the war declaration followed an incident on Thursday night at Weruweru in Hai district during which 14 suspected armed bandits from Kenya were gunned down by Moshi police as they were on a criminal mission to raid the Moshi-based Exim Bank Tanzania Limited located along Boma Road.
"Ours is a country which has been cherishing peace and tranquility for years," he stated, warning that the government will never tolerate aliens who were all out to disrupt that pearl.
Mr Mwapachu, who was sent here by President Jakaya Kikwete to have an on-the-spot brief on last Thuirsday's grisly incident, said thenceforth plans were afoot to strengthen communication with neighbouring countries through periodic meetings of political and administrative leaders in a re-newed effort to exchange information on how best to combat rising crimes.
"We have also resolved to intensify security along our common border through periodic patrols by increasing the number of police operatives and communication gadgets," he said, adding that civilians will also be involved to assist the law-emforcers in identifying criminals.
The Monister further revealed that the private sector has also been requested to provide requisite gadgets to police force, such as bullet proof jackets and detectors, to enable it confront criminals who were now equipped with modern technology and weapons during their criminal activities.
Mr Mwapachu, who was flanked with members of Kilimanjaro Regional Defence and Security Committe under the Acting Chairmanship of Moshi District Commissioner, Mr Musa Samizi, dismissed as baseless claim by human rights activists that in confronting the suspected Kenyan bandits Tanzanian police applied excessive force.
"Our police fired back after they were attacked by the Kenyan bandits who were armed with AK 47assault rifles, pistols and hand grenades," he said, directing the police to deal squarely with marauding aliens who were on criminal missions.
However, the Minister observed that lack of data-base was making it extremely difficult for East African states to prevent criminal activities and pre-empt criminal network, saying in spite of that, there must be a mutual trust between the civilians and the police force to effectively fight cross-border crimes.
SOURCE: DAILY NEWS
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