NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM
On 20th June 2012, around 11pm, an incident happened where armed bandits raided a tourist camp in the Wildlife Management Area of Ikoma in Rubanda village, in the outskirts of Serengeti National Park. In the event, one of the foreign tourists and a Tanzanian were killed. The deceased tourist is Mr. Eric Brekelmans, a native of the Netherlands. A Tanzanian who was killed is Mr. Renatus Benard, an Assistant Manager of the camp.
The raided camp is known as Moivaro owned by the Moivaro Coffee Lodge. The deceased tourist was a client of the Leopard Tours Company of Arusha. During the event the camp had forty guests who were robbed of their possessions and travel documents.
Together, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania National Parks Authority, and the companies of Leopard Tours and Moivaro Coffee Lodge have taken steps to comfort the affected individuals, including the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Annelnes Brekelmans. Procedures for transporting the body of the deceased to Arusha today on June 21, 2012 have been completed. Other plans regarding funeral are in progress.
Police and Wardens of the Department of Wildlife and TANAPA, have jointly strengthened security in the tourist areas, and a search has begun to seek the bandits. The Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Hon. Khamis Kagasheki and Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Nchimbi have already gone to the scene of the incident using the TANAPA aircraft. Similarly, the Assistant Commissioner of Police who is in charge of tourism affairs, Mr. Kitalike has gone to the scene by the Police helicopter to enhance security operations and investigations.
The Ministry conveys its condolences. We would like to take this opportunity to assure visitors that every effort is taken to ensure their safety is in place, along with comfort when they are in the country.
Hon. Ambassador Khamisi Kagasheki
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism
June 21, 2012