Latest
News #223 - Tanzania
November 26, 2002
The following news concerns Tanzania.
Burglars target Bible Society
of Tanzania warehouse
DODOMA, Tanzania — Two people are receiving hospital treatment following a break-in by four armed men at the Bible Society of Tanzania’s warehouse in Dar es Salaam. General Secretary the Rev Albert Mongi reports that the burglars “petrified everybody” as they smashed their way into the warehouse compound, known as the Centre of Peace Bible Depot, in the middle of the night on November 11.
The two watchmen on duty at the time were unable to prevent the burglars scaling the perimeter wall, entering the warehouse compound and breaking doors and windows in order to gain access to the office. The resulting “general pandemonium,” which included the firing of shots into the air and into the warehouse manager’s house, alerted people living near the compound. This did not deter the burglars, who went on to damage the Society’s truck and to steal items including radio communications equipment.
The two people who were injured were neighbours who had come to assist the watchmen and were hit by shots fired by the burglars as they fled from the compound. They are now recovering. Mr Mongi, who was making a routine visit to the compound with his wife Betty at the time, was unharmed but states that “the shock and peace-shattering effect of gunshots in the dark is indescribable.” Staff are now taking stock of the losses, and Mr Mongi is calling for prayers for the “return of peace and tranquillity” to this facility. (247 words - TANZANIA.26.11.02)For further information please contact Andrew Mathewson, UBS Editor.
Alternatively, write to:
Andrew Mathewson
UBS Editor,
UBS World Service Center
Reading Bridge House, 7th Floor
Reading
RG1 8PJ
England