A 33-year-old suspected poacher from the West Nicholson area outside Beit Bridge was seriously injured after he was shot by a game ranger, police have said.

The local police spokesperson, Insp Tafanana Dzirutwe, said the incident occurred on Saturday at around 15:00 at the Tshiswine Dam. “Zvandashaza Zhou, who was in the company of his brother, Farirai, was allegedly poaching fish in the Tshiswine Dam at Drummond Farm when they were spotted by three game rangers who were on patrol. The rangers arrested the two brothers and tied their hands, using a nylon strap,” Dzirutwe said.

The rangers recovered fishing nets, knives, cooking utensils and fishing rods used by the two brothers.

“On being escorted to the farm offices, the two suspected poachers escaped and, in the process, Zvandashaza picked up a stone and struck one of the game rangers, resulting in the ranger firing a warning shot,” said Dzirutwe. The rangers managed to apprehend Zvandashaza, while the other suspect fled.

“On being rearrested, Zvandashaza pulled out a knife and threatened to stab one of the game rangers, prompting the ranger to shoot him in the right thigh,” Dzirutwe said

He was taken to Guyu Hospital for treatment.

Dzirutwe expressed concern over the increase in poaching activities in areas around the Beit Bridge district. Recently, a poacher was shot dead, while another one sustained injuries during a shoot-out with game rangers at Mazunga Ranch in Beit Bridge.

“We also would like to warn people against straying into private or protected areas to poach wildlife as they risk being arrested,” he said.