Security Risks Highlighted by Assault on Tanzanian Lorry Driver in Zambia

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A Tanzanian lorry driver was assaulted in Isoka, Zambia, raising serious safety concerns for transporters. The driver suffered severe injuries, and the incident involved a failed extortion attempt by the assailants. Calls for improved security measures at the border have been made by transport officials, as the region experiences increased violence against transporters.

A disturbing incident involving the assault of a Tanzanian lorry driver in Isoka, Zambia has raised significant security concerns for transporters in the vicinity of the Tanzania-Zambia border. On the night of December 19, 2024, Ibrahim Rashid Mwaja Company’s Operations Manager, Mr. Abdallah Rashid, was informed via a WhatsApp call about the attack, which left the driver with severe machete wounds. The driver was reportedly attacked around 10 p.m. East Africa Time, while a fellow passenger of a bus traveling nearby took control of the vehicle after the driver was incapacitated.

Initial contact was made by a passenger on a bus who relayed news of the driver’s critical condition. The situation was complicated by differing accounts of the driver’s circumstances, as GPS data indicated the vehicle was still moving, while reports of his injury were emanating from witnesses at the scene. Following the attack, the driver was taken to Isoka Hospital for emergency treatment.

Despite the severity of the attack, all items loaded in the lorry, including a consignment of soya meal, remained intact. The attackers, having seized the driver’s phone, attempted to extort ZMW 1,500 from the owner for alleged expired travel documents. However, no funds were transferred, revealing a troubling motive behind the assault. On December 20, the driver was transferred to Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital in Tanzania for further care due to his critical injuries.

Mr. Rashid expressed profound concern regarding the alarming security risks transporters face, lamenting the lack of effective support systems during emergencies. He appealed to both Tanzanian and Zambian governments to enhance protective measures along the border, which is often plagued by criminal acts. The driver’s condition has since shown signs of improvement, yet this incident highlights a growing trend of violence against transporters in the region needing urgent and collaborative government intervention to ensure safer conditions for drivers operating across borders.

Tamstoa Chairman, Mr. Chuki Shaban, has echoed these sentiments, underscoring the necessity of bilateral discussions to improve the safety of drivers on the Zambian side. The broader implications of this incident reflect the urgent need for action to protect individuals engaged in transport and trade in East Africa, making clear the precarious environment under which they operate.

The attack on the Tanzanian lorry driver comes amidst rising insecurity issues affecting transporters along the Tanzania-Zambia border. The region has seen an increase in violent incidents, threatening the safety of both the drivers and their cargo. The governments and transport associations are urged to recognize these risks and collaborate to devise measures to ensure the security of transporters and their operations. This incident is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by drivers in regions notorious for criminal activity, prompting calls for immediate government intervention to enhance security surveillance and protective strategies.

In light of the attack on the Tanzanian lorry driver in Zambia, it is evident that urgent measures are necessary to bolster security along the Tanzania-Zambia border. The incident has exposed significant vulnerabilities within transport operations, prompting appeals for increased governmental cooperation to protect transporters. Authorities need to prioritize the safety of drivers and the integrity of their cargo to mitigate the growing threats posed by criminal activity in the region.

Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz

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