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Elephants trample cop to death
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A young police officer, Constable Prince Dambe (24), was tragically killed by a herd of elephants while on patrol duty near the Forbes Border Post in Mutare on Wednesday night.
Cst Dambe, who was attached to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Support Unit, had recently tied the knot. His life was cut short in the most harrowing of circumstances when elephants stormed a tented base at Cecil Kopje Game Park, where he and his colleagues were resting after a day of patrol.
According to police sources, the terrifying incident occurred around 10PM when a herd of elephants wandered into the officers' campsite. His colleagues were jolted awake by strange noises and, upon peeking outside, spotted the herd advancing toward their tent.
"They tried to wake up Constable Dambe, but he was in a deep sleep," said a source. "Realising the imminent danger, they fled, hoping he would wake up and follow. When he did, the elephants were already closing in."
In a desperate attempt to escape, Cst Dambe fled in just a pair of jogger shorts. He tried to scale a nearby mountain but was overtaken by the elephants, which trampled him to death. The animals reportedly dragged his body over rocky terrain, tearing off his clothes and leaving him in his underwear. He died on the spot.
National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the incident, expressing the force's grief over the loss.
"I can confirm that we received a report of a 24-year-old police officer who was trampled to death by elephants. His colleagues tried to alert him, but he was too deep in sleep. By the time he woke up, it was too late. He died instantly," said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.
She added that the tragedy was especially heart-wrenching given that Constable Dambe had only recently gotten married.
In a separate but equally tragic incident, another officer, Constable Joseph Kamba, died after being hit by a speeding commuter omnibus in Chinhoyi last Tuesday. He had attempted to stop the vehicle along Robson Manyika Drive.
"These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the hazards faced by our officers daily in the line of duty," Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.
Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri has since conveyed his heartfelt condolences to both the Dambe and Kamba families, honouring the officers' service and sacrifice.
Cst Dambe, who was attached to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Support Unit, had recently tied the knot. His life was cut short in the most harrowing of circumstances when elephants stormed a tented base at Cecil Kopje Game Park, where he and his colleagues were resting after a day of patrol.
According to police sources, the terrifying incident occurred around 10PM when a herd of elephants wandered into the officers' campsite. His colleagues were jolted awake by strange noises and, upon peeking outside, spotted the herd advancing toward their tent.
"They tried to wake up Constable Dambe, but he was in a deep sleep," said a source. "Realising the imminent danger, they fled, hoping he would wake up and follow. When he did, the elephants were already closing in."
In a desperate attempt to escape, Cst Dambe fled in just a pair of jogger shorts. He tried to scale a nearby mountain but was overtaken by the elephants, which trampled him to death. The animals reportedly dragged his body over rocky terrain, tearing off his clothes and leaving him in his underwear. He died on the spot.
"I can confirm that we received a report of a 24-year-old police officer who was trampled to death by elephants. His colleagues tried to alert him, but he was too deep in sleep. By the time he woke up, it was too late. He died instantly," said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.
She added that the tragedy was especially heart-wrenching given that Constable Dambe had only recently gotten married.
In a separate but equally tragic incident, another officer, Constable Joseph Kamba, died after being hit by a speeding commuter omnibus in Chinhoyi last Tuesday. He had attempted to stop the vehicle along Robson Manyika Drive.
"These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the hazards faced by our officers daily in the line of duty," Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.
Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri has since conveyed his heartfelt condolences to both the Dambe and Kamba families, honouring the officers' service and sacrifice.
Source - The Chronicle
