Security agents should speed up the manhunt on unknown people who on Wednesday evening threw acid at two British volunteers teaching in Zanzibar.
President Jakaya Kikwete
President Jakaya Kikwete issued the order after visiting the Britons at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, saying such a dastardly attack tarnishes the country’s image.
The victims, Ms Kate Gee (18) and Ms Kirstie Trup (18), were flown to Dar es Salaam shortly after the incident.
“This matter is still being investigated and I hope security agents will speed up the process and arrest the culprits,” Mr Kikwete who visited Bariadi East legislator, Mr John Cheyo, also hospitalised at the same hospital, noted.
He noted that such attacks are shameful and should be nipped in the bud to stop damaging the good image of the country. “I wish the two victims a speedy recovery,” he added. Briefing the president, British High Commission officials said the attacks may be connected to the two volunteers’ dressing and religious fanaticism in the Spice islands which are dominated by Muslims.
The officials said the two victims who were working as volunteers at Saint Monica Nursery school at Mkunazini area, which belongs to the Catholic church, will be airlifted to London for further treatment. One of the two, Kate, has suffered serious face and chest injuries but medical doctors said her life is not in danger.
The other has suffered minor injuries on her hands and lower belly. Meanwhile, ISA YUSSUF reports from Zanzibar that Urban West Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mkadam Khamis, said police have launched a manhunt against the suspects.
“We have launched a manhunt for the criminals. We are asking for cooperation from the people in volunteering information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects,” he said. He further said the suspects reportedly committed the crime while riding on a motorcycle.
“The incident occurred at around 8:00pm close to Africa House in Stone Town. The suspects threw liquid believed to be acid on the two Britons who were in Zanzibar working as volunteers at St. Monica school,” he explained. The Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health, Dr Saleh Mohammed Jidawi, told the ‘Daily News’ that the victims suffered burns in the chin, chest and hands.
He said they were flown to the Agakhan Hospital in Dar es Salaam. Mr Abdulsamad Said, Chairman of the Zanzibar Association for Tourism Investors (ZATI) condemned the incident, saying it might scare away tourists and other visitors from spice islands.
Although the motive behind the attack was yet to be established, there are speculations of planned demonstrations and deliberate efforts to force the government to release ten Muslim leaders still in jail. It is speculated that the demonstrations are being planned by some followers of UAMSHO Muslim group.
The RPC, however, urged the Muslims and youths not to take part in illegal activities. Last year two people, including a Muslim cleric, Sheikh Fadhil Soraga, were attacked with acid by unidentified people. Sheikh Soraga, who is secretary at the Zanzibar Mufti’s office, is yet to resume his duties.
By FINNIGAN WA SIMBEYE, Tanzania Daily News
