Game ranger bites, disarms three armed robbers

A SENIOR ranger from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in Bulawayo disarmed three armed robbers before thoroughly assaulting them, forcing them to beat a hasty retreat after they attempted to rob the authority's offices in the city.

The suspects, who were armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, allegedly demanded to be led to a stockpile of ivory they believed was stashed in one of the rooms at the offices at about 5PM on Thursday.

The senior ranger, only identified as Munkuli, lunged at one of the suspects as he was about to pull the trigger and bit his finger and disarmed him.

The trio allegedly arrived at the offices under the pretext of wanting to report a big snake that they claimed invaded their home.

Sources said they had been misled into believing there was a stockpile of ivory at the offices.

"Munkuli was alone in the office downstairs while a few members of staff were upstairs. The doors were closed because it was a public holiday. When he let the trio in, they produced the AK and demanded to be led to the ivory," said a source.

Caroline Washaya-Moyo, the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson, said: "The official (Munkuli) on seeing the gun being pointed at him sensed danger and attacked the armed robber by biting the finger that was about to pull the trigger. He wrestled the rifle away from the robber".

Munkuli reportedly started beating up the three until one of the suspects broke away and fled.

She said when members of the public came to assist Munkuli, one of the robbers had locked himself in a toilet while the other tried to hide in an operations room.

Washaya-Moyo added that the AK-47 rifle was recovered with a magazine loaded with nine rounds of ammunition.

She said Munkuli sustained injuries to his mouth and three of his teeth are loose.

"He was taken to a hospital in Bulawayo for treatment. The Authority commends the senior ranger for such bravery and for risking his life to protect the Authority's assets. He acted bravely and set an example of how a trained ranger should behave and react under threat," Washaya-Moyo said.

She added: "Although outnumbered, the senior ranger displayed courage and fearlessness which defines a true ranger. The failed armed robbery should send a warning to would-be robbers and poachers that illegal entry to our properties is no walk in the park."

Washaya-Moyo said nothing was taken from the office.

The suspect who bolted out of the office leaving his colleagues at the mercy of the uncompromising ranger was apprehended by members of the public.

One of the people who caught the suspect, Francis Ngirande, 39, said he was working with friends at Ish Tyres, across the road from the parks offices when he heard people screaming.

"We rushed to the door and found it locked although we could hear sounds of a monumental struggle inside. We were about to break down the door, when it flew open and a big man streaked out of the office," he said.

Ngirande said the big man was panting and he only stopped momentarily to tell them someone was ‘‘killing'' his two friends in the office.

Another witness, Darlington Mangore, 34, said they saw at once that the man was a stranger as they were used to officials at the building.

He said a group of friends that included Ishmael Marimutse, 40, and Cranos Mangore, 40, joined him in chasing the man whom they caught along 13th Avenue.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abedinico Ncube confirmed the incident.

He advised residents not to let into their premises strangers without proper identification.

Asst Insp Ncube said the public should report suspicious people to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on  (09) 76340.

"Although we commend the parks official and those who assisted for their bravery, we urge residents to never put themselves at risk when trying to apprehend criminals," he said.

Asst Insp Ncube declined to release the names of the suspects saying it might jeopardise investigations.