Tanzania: Increase in Violent Crime in Dar es Salaam

No Comments | March 7th, 2006 | Trackback

Violent crime has increased significantly in Dar es Salaam since the beginning of the year, with 21 armed robberies reported. A recent incident raised concerns among the expatriate community because its target was a popular Indian restaurant patronized by foreigners and tourists. The Anghiti Restaurant on Bagamoyo Road was terrorized at dinnertime Feb. 26 by five armed men who robbed all of the diners before cleaning out the cashier and then hung around drinking beer. During the 30-minute robbery, a restaurant employee called a police hotline but the police never came because the emergency line has been out of service for months. Many other incidents have occurred in the districts around the U.S. Embassy, including several robberies on Toure Drive during the day. The cause of the crime wave may be water and power shortages that have depressed the economy and forced businesses to defer paying employees.