The Zimbabwe Republic Police has revealed that game rangers shot and killed 3 suspected poachers at the Malilangwe Game Reserve in the wee hours on Saturday.
The victims identified as Hardlife Mukombi, 44, Owiwi Oquingwi Vedbry Gotora and a third man yet to be identified died after an exchange of fire with the rangers around 3.45AM this past Saturday after they had jumped a fence into the Game Reserve.
After spotting the poachers, the Rangers reportedly fired a warning shot into the air but the poachers responded with sustained gunfire using a 303 rifle resulting in a fire exchange that left the trio dead.
According to a ZimLive report;
Detectives from Chiredzi Police Station attended the scene. On examining Mukombi’s body, they found – inside a satchel – a Zimbabwean passport, soya chunks, an axe, loaf of bread, instant porridge and clothes.
He also had a brown wallet containing a South African driver’s licence, a South African firearm licence, a South African private security company identity card, an Economic Freedom Fighters political party membership card and diazepam tablets.
A second victim was found about 20 metres from Mukombi dead body while a third victim fell 25 metres away.
Police investigations over incident continue while the game rangers have not been arrested.
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