Arusha ‘gun woman’ moved to intensive care

By Mussa Juma, The Citizen

Posted  Monday, November 4  2013 at  09:49

In Summary

The businesswoman was shot in the shoulder last week at Tanzania Revenue Authority’s (TRA) building and was immediately rushed to Mount Meru Hospital, where she has been attending treatment under tight security.

Arusha. A gemstone dealer, Ms Vaileth Mathias, 37, who was shot at by a police officer last week has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit of the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre following the deterioration of her condition.

The businesswoman was shot in the shoulder last week at Tanzania Revenue Authority’s (TRA) building and was immediately rushed to Mount Meru Hospital, where she has been attending treatment under tight security.

According to police reports, the victim was shot after she threatened to shoot the police officer at a CRDB bank branch. The officer had earlier forbidden her from parking her car on a restricted lot.

However, according to the Police briefing, after completing her tasks in the bank, she found that all wheels of her car had been deflated by the police, a matter that threw her into a bitter argument with the police officer and reached the extent of drawing out her pistol, but she was shot at before pulling the trigger.

The Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre deputy director, Dr Paul Kisanga, told The Citizen that the patient had been moved to ICU after her condition deteriorated. He said she was moved to the ICU since Saturday. “It is true the patient has been moved to ICU, this is because her condition is not good.”

The situation has deteriorated following a big wound in her shoulder that was caused by the bullet,” he said.

Moreover, Dr Kisanga who was not in the office at a time he was contacted said the patient was receiving treatment at the hospital.

Rumours spread yesterday in various areas of Arusha city saying the gemstone dealer had died.

The Arusha regional police commander, Mr Liberatus Sabas said his office has no full information on her health.

He said: “What I know is that a police officer shot the business woman in self defence, one bullet was found in the businesswoman’s chamber, it means she was ready to shoot,” said the RPC.

Commenting on the ownership of the pistol, the RPC said so far early investigation shows that the pistol is owned by the victim, who is a former worker of the Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Mr Sabas said Police were continuing with investigation on the matter.

SOURCE: THE CITIZEN