Four Zambian criminals gunned down at Tuduma, Tanzania

Four suspected criminals believed to be Zambians have been gunned down at Tuduma in Tanzania by the Tanzanian police during an exchange of heavy gun fire.

Both Tanzanian police and Muchinga Deputy Commissioner of Police Peter Bubenshi have confirmed the incident in an interview with ZANIS at Tuduma today.

Mr. Bubenshi said the four suspected criminals were gunned down at about 11:00 hours yesterday when they staged a day-light robbery at beer depot located at Songea about 6 km inside Tuduma town from the Zambian border town of Nakonde.

Mr. Bubenshi said Tanzanian police have since recovered 400,000 cash Tanzanian Shillings equivalent to K1.6 million, an AK 47 Rifle and a Semi Automatic Machine Gun (SMG).

One of the deceased suspects was also found with a ticket for a Zambian bus operating between Lusaka and Nakonde which showed that he arrived in Nakonde in the morning yesterday and allegedly took part in staging the robbery.

The bodies of the four suspects are lying at Tuduma mortuary awaiting further investigations.

Meanwhile, a team of Zambia Police officers from Chinsali has arrived at Tuduma Tanzania for further investigations.

Mr. Bubenshi said the team will be in Tuduma working with the Tanzanian police to ensure that the case is fully investigated and the source of fire arms traced.

ZANIS/