News / National
Zambian poacher battling for life after being shot by Zimbabwean police
26 May 2012 at 21:51hrs | Views
A Zambian " is battling for life at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo after he was trying to run away from the police and parks rangers, Matabeleland North police said.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said George Chingandu of Kazungula in Zambia was arrested during a joint operation between the police and parks rangers on Tuesday evening.
"We have arrested a suspected Zambian poacher who is under police guard at Mpilo Central Hospital. Investigations have revealed that he is part of the poachers who fled after being found in possession of 22 elephant tusks last Saturday," she said.
Makonese said after escaping from the police on Saturday at Robins Camp, the poachers left their loot.
The police officers then intensified their patrols at strategic points leading to the Zambezi River.
Makonese said police officers deployed at the 29km peg along the Victoria Falls- Kazungula road saw a spoor leading to the Zambezi River.
"The officers then went and alerted parks rangers at Siamongo base. Together they saw three poachers near the Zambezi River and fired warning shots at them, but they took to their heels," she said.
"The police then fired again and this time, one of the poachers, George Chingandu was then shot on the arm and left shoulder."
She said a report was made to Kazungula police who attended the scene.
"On being interviewed, Chingandu revealed that he was part of the six poachers who ran away from the police at Robins Camp leaving their loot at the scene," said Asst Insp Makonese.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said George Chingandu of Kazungula in Zambia was arrested during a joint operation between the police and parks rangers on Tuesday evening.
"We have arrested a suspected Zambian poacher who is under police guard at Mpilo Central Hospital. Investigations have revealed that he is part of the poachers who fled after being found in possession of 22 elephant tusks last Saturday," she said.
Makonese said after escaping from the police on Saturday at Robins Camp, the poachers left their loot.
The police officers then intensified their patrols at strategic points leading to the Zambezi River.
Makonese said police officers deployed at the 29km peg along the Victoria Falls- Kazungula road saw a spoor leading to the Zambezi River.
"The officers then went and alerted parks rangers at Siamongo base. Together they saw three poachers near the Zambezi River and fired warning shots at them, but they took to their heels," she said.
"The police then fired again and this time, one of the poachers, George Chingandu was then shot on the arm and left shoulder."
She said a report was made to Kazungula police who attended the scene.
"On being interviewed, Chingandu revealed that he was part of the six poachers who ran away from the police at Robins Camp leaving their loot at the scene," said Asst Insp Makonese.
Source - Byo24news