Cab driver, tourists robbed outside parliament house

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A TAXI driver has called on police to investigate guards stationed at the National Parliament area, saying they may be colluding with criminals to rob people. 
The driver from Rigo, Central, who did not want to be named for security reasons, said that after two elderly German tourists, his wife and a tour guide were held up by armed thugs outside the front entrance to Parliament on Sunday.
He said he was showing around the couple, who were passengers aboard the cruiser liner Amadea.
He said at around 8am, they were at parliament’s front gate and saw the guard sleeping in the guard house.
The driver said after shouting and banging on the gate, the guard woke up.
“He told us to stand outside and take pictures as it was the weekend and parliament was closed to visitors,” he said.
“While the couple was taking pictures, eight men armed with two homemade guns, bush knives and iron rods turned up.”
He said the gang took the couple’s camera, mobile phones, money, bags and escaped in his taxi.
“The guard saw the robbery but did no­thing,” the driver said.
“I asked him why he did not help by shouting or calling the police but he said it was not his job.”
He said the couple was terrified by the experience.
NCD police chief Peter Guinness confirmed receiving reports of the incident and said his men were investigating the matter.
“The vicinity around parliament is dangerous therefore we are thinking of introducing the concept of tourist policing,” he said.
He said under tourist policing, the area will be secured once tourists or other visitors are planning to visit parliament.
He added that place is a problem as many unsuspecting citizens have fallen victims to criminals there.
He urged the tourism promotion authority to work with the police to ensure safety and security of tourists are guaranteed when visiting secluded spots around the city.