Police in Tanzania’s Mara Region are holding four suspects over the theft of an ambulance belonging to Musoma Municipal Council, which was allegedly converted into a tourists’ safari transport vehicle.
The suspects, residents of Tarime District in Mara Region and Arusha City, are accused of stealing the ambulance while it was providing services at Musoma Municipal Hospital.
Mara Regional Police Commander Pius Lutumo said the vehicle was stolen on October 25, 2025, while parked at the Musoma Municipal Director’s office, a short distance from the municipal hospital.
“Following the report, we conducted investigations and intelligence operations. Several people, including government employees, were questioned. However, our investigations established that the suspects responsible are the four currently in custody,” Mr Lutumo said in a statement.
Mr Lutumo said the Land Cruiser ambulance was recovered in Arusha City while in the final stages of being modified for use as a tourist vehicle.
He explained that the vehicle was stolen at night and transported to Arusha, where the suspects began altering it before they were arrested.
There are also reports that the suspects are part of a broader syndicate involved in stealing ambulances from various local government authorities across the country and converting them into tourist vehicles.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that more than 10 ambulances have been stolen across Tanzania, with some members of the alleged syndicate believed to be public servants.
In a separate incident, police also seized a Toyota Hilux after intercepting it while transporting khat (mirungi).
Mr Lutumo said the driver, a resident of Kambarage area in Shinyanga Region, was arrested in Bunda District while transporting 67 kilograms of the narcotic drug to Shinyanga.
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