Three rangers drown

Herald Reporter
May 30, 2009

THREE rangers with the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority drowned in Masvingo last week while carrying out anti-poaching and rhino monitoring patrols at Lake Mutirikwi.

Parks public relations manager Ms Caroline WashayaMoyo confirmed the drowning of Peter Mapfumo, who was 26, Mujovani Tafara (29) and Tigere Donald 21 last week.

"The chairman of the conservation committee responsible for all operations at board level, Mr Jerry Gotora, visited Lake Kyle in the company of Mr Vincent Chadenga, who is the director for conservation, and established that the three rangers’ main objective was to do anti-poaching and rhino monitoring patrols recording sightings.

"The Wildlife Authority received a report on 25 May from a ranger that two bodies were floating in the lake at Pioneer Bay and the matter was quickly reported to both the Parks regional manager and the police.

"The police helped us in retrieving the bodies, which were taken to the mortuary, and their next of kin were subsequently notified. No foul play is suspected," said Ms Washaya-Moyo.

She said the rangers could have rowed on the lake in a canoe that was not fit for use.

She said there was evidence that the men might have tried to fix the canoe before launching it into the lake.

"The Authority has, however, established that operations in the lake were not on the patrol plan," Ms Washaya-Moyo said.

Addressing mourners in Masvingo on Tuesday, Mr Gotora told the bereaved families that they should take comfort from knowledge that the nation was grieving with them because the deceased were protecting national resources.

"The Authority has since provided burial assistance to the bereaved families, including caskets, food and transp ortation of the bodies of the deceased, who came from Gutu, Bikita and Gokwe," Ms Washaya-Moyo said.

Earlier this month, a Parks official was trampled to death by an elephant he had attempted to shoot at Lake Kariba.