A suspected poacher from Mpande village in Beit Bridge was shot dead, while another one was seriously injured during a shoot-out with game rangers at Mazunga Safari Ranch outside the border town, police have said.

The local police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Hosiah Mukombero said the incident occurred on Friday, August 14, at Mazunga Safari Ranch.

“On Friday, the deceased, who was in the company of two other suspects, Hardy Nkomo and another suspect, armed themselves with two .303 rifles and a hand axe before moving into Mazunga Ranch, where we suspect they intended to poach zebras.

They were, however, spotted by game rangers who had been tracking them and then ordered them to stop. Chief Supt Mukombero said the suspects defied the order and, instead, they opened fire on the game rangers. “The game rangers in turn fired back and subsequently there was an exchange of fire, resulting in the victim’s being shot in the chest. He died on the spot,” he said. One of the other suspects, Nkomo, sustained severe injuries during the incident.

Mukombero said the deceased was identified as Life Mbedzi, whose age is unknown. His body was taken to a local mortuary, while the injured was rushed to Beit Bridge District Hospital. The third suspect, managed to escape and he is still at large.

Mukombero said they also arrested a South African man, Jan Johannes George Roos, who is believed to be the brainpower behind the poaching syndicate. The suspects were allegedly into poaching zebras and smuggling the hides to South Africa. Roos was arrested at Beit Bridge Border Post while on his way back.

Chief Supt Mukombero said Roos was arrested after he was implicated by one of the suspects. “Roos is now in our custody, assisting us with investigations,” he said.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon on charges of contravening a section of the Parks and Wildlife Act.