Following complaints by a local businessman of loss of goods at the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, the Rwandan Embassy in Tanzania has requested for an immediate intervention by the Tanzanian government.

The development was confirmed by Shakira Umutoni, the First Counsellor (Charge d’Affairs) at the Rwandan embassy in Dar es Salaam.

"We received the complaint and we have written to the Tanzanian Foreign Affairs Ministry requesting them to follow it up but they have not responded yet,” said Umutoni in a telephone interview.

She said that the letter was also copied to both Tanzania International Container Terminal Services Limited (TICTS), the company that handles cargo at the port, and the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).

The diplomat also said that the Tanzanian Foreign Ministry summoned both TICTS and TPA in a meeting following the embassy’s request.

The lost container worth US $ 40,000 (Approx Rwf22m) belonged to Charles Gasana, the General Manager of Simba Super Market and has threatened to sue TICTS claiming it is the third time his goods worth millions have disappeared mysteriously at the port.

Gasana has also met Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) Commissioner General Mary Baine over the issue.

Speaking to The New Times, Baine confirmed meeting the businessman and has asked him to lodge his complaints with supporting documents.

"Yes, we have met but I cannot give further details about the meeting. What I can say is we want to look into the matter thoroughly and see what we can come up with,” Baine said.

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