News / Regional
Two poachers shot dead
03 Sep 2014 at 04:47hrs | Views
TWO poachers were shot dead by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) rangers and the police in Zambezi National Park in Victoria Falls on Monday morning.
The police officer commanding Victoria Falls district Chief Superintendent Jairos Chiwona confirmed the shooting adding that they were still hunting for other poachers that fled and the gun they were using.
"I can confirm that there was a shootout which happened on Monday morning in Liungu Springs at Zambezi National Park between poachers and combined police and Zimparks patrol and two poachers were gunned down. Investigations are still underway for recovery of a gun and several other poachers who fled," said Chiwona.
The dead poachers have been identified as Christopher Muleya (41) and Isaiah Sibanda, who are both from the Jambezi area under Chief Shana. They were shot in the stomach, leg and arms and their bodies were taken to the Victoria Falls District Hospital mortuary.
Chiwona told Southern Eye that on August 23, Zimparks rangers discovered an elephant carcass around the Liungu Spring. On August 31, the rangers heard a gunshot in the evening and called for back-up to patrol in the area.
Chiwona said the following morning at around 2am, Zimparks rangers and the police were patrolling in the Liungu Springs and encountered the gang of poachers that ended up in a shootout. Muleya and Sibanda were shot dead while the other gang members fled.
The patrol recovered some decomposing elephant meat.
The police officer commanding Victoria Falls district Chief Superintendent Jairos Chiwona confirmed the shooting adding that they were still hunting for other poachers that fled and the gun they were using.
"I can confirm that there was a shootout which happened on Monday morning in Liungu Springs at Zambezi National Park between poachers and combined police and Zimparks patrol and two poachers were gunned down. Investigations are still underway for recovery of a gun and several other poachers who fled," said Chiwona.
Chiwona told Southern Eye that on August 23, Zimparks rangers discovered an elephant carcass around the Liungu Spring. On August 31, the rangers heard a gunshot in the evening and called for back-up to patrol in the area.
Chiwona said the following morning at around 2am, Zimparks rangers and the police were patrolling in the Liungu Springs and encountered the gang of poachers that ended up in a shootout. Muleya and Sibanda were shot dead while the other gang members fled.
The patrol recovered some decomposing elephant meat.
Source - Southern Eye
