GOVERNMENT STATEMENT FOLLOWING ACID ATTACK OF TWO BRITISH TOURISTS
08/08/2013
Fellow Citizens,
Last night, two British volunteers – Katie Gee and Kirsty Trup - both aged 18 years old, were the victims of a very sad assault. The incident, an acid-attack, took place in the area of Shangani, Stone Town. The event is a great tragedy, and an attack of this nature against a foreign citizen, has never happened here before.
This serious incident has damaged the reputation of a peaceful and stable Zanzibar. The attack is unacceptable and could affect our tourism industry - which is a major economic driver in Zanzibar. In order to ensure this does not happen again, the Government will take several serious steps, including thorough investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Government is appealing to the general public to assist in the arrest of the offenders and is offering a reward of 10,000,000/= (ten million shillings) to anyone providing information leading to an arrest.
To avoid acid being used in such criminal activity, the Government is taking steps to regulate the purchase, storage, and distribution of acid and other related products. The Government will also increase patrols in tourist areas including Stone Town and beach areas to ensure the safety of our visitors, as well as our citizens.
Through this statement, the Government is requesting all citizens to help in providing information to help protect the tourism industry as it is a major economic driver.
So, on behalf of the Government of Zanzibar, we offer condolences to the injured and their families and we pray for the injured to get well quickly. In addition, we also extend our condolences to the British Government and its people through the British High Commission for Tanzania.
We would like to assure the British Government, and other Government, that we will make every effort to protect our visitors.
Thank you.