Three Zimbabwean poachers, who were part of a five-man gang allegedly involved in killing rhinos and smuggling ivory into South Africa, were shot dead last weekend by a joint team of police and game rangers, following a prolonged exchange of gunfire, police have said.

Local police spokesperson Insp Phibion Nyambo said the incident occurred on Saturday inside the Malilangwe Trust Conservancy, outside Beit Bridge.

“After the shoot-out, one of the five suspects escaped while one was apprehended while holed up in their getaway Toyota Hilux, parked along the Chiredzi-Tanganda highway.

“Our police team and game rangers ambushed the poachers at Chipangadzi Bridge, following a tip-off, and three suspected poachers were shot dead, following an encounter with our officers who were on patrol together with game rangers from Malilangwe," he said.

"We managed to arrest one of the suspects and also impounded the Toyota Hilux which they wanted to use as a getaway car."

One of the suspects managed to flee and police have since launched a manhunt for him. Nyambo said they managed to recover two rifles, a .303 and a .306, which the suspects were using.

"We also recovered 58 live rounds of ammunition and some spent cartridges," said the police spokesperson. He said the bodies of the poachers were taken to a local mortuary for post-mortem examination.

It is believed that the poachers arrived at Malilangwe Trust Conservancy aboard a Toyota Hilux with the intention of killing rhinos and dehorning them.

Police, acting on a tip-off, teamed up with game rangers and ambushed the suspects inside the conservancy. They encountered the poachers at Chipangadzi Bridge and ordered them to surrender.

However, the suspects started firing at the police and game rangers, prompting a prolonged gunfight that resulted in the death of the three.

Nyambo said police were increasingly worried by the rampant poaching of rhinos in the area and smuggling activities.

Recently, another suspected poacher was shot dead by game rangers while he was poaching rhinos at a local Kyle Recreational Park.

Zimbabwe is up for discussion at next year’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species meeting over the increased poaching of rhinos, which are classified as endangered species.

According to local authorities, statistics indicate that Zimbabwe has lost about 70 rhinos over the past 12 months to poaching.