ZIM-Cop shot in encounter with suspected poachers

14 May 2010, 22:21

Cop shot in encounter with suspected poachers
http://www.thedailynewszw.com

May 14, 2010

By Owen Chikari

MASVINGO - A policeman was this week seriously injured following an exchange
of gunfire between police officers and five Mozambicans in the Dumisa area
of Chiredzi near the Gonarezhou National Park.

The encounter occured amid reports that security has been tightened along
the Zimbabwe-Mozambican border to curb poacher incursions.

The policeman, whose name could not be released to the press, was reported
to be in critical condition in Chiredzi District Hospital.

The police confirmed the incident occurred in the Dumisa area near the
Gonarezhou National Park. The Mozambicans were suspected of poaching in the
game reserve.

Police detectives on patrol, together with officers from the Department of
National Parks and Wildlife, spotted the five after they had stopped their
car which had developed a mechanical fault.

Upon noticing the police and game rangers, the five suspected poachers
opened fire and seriously injured one of the policemen.

Police returned fire and the suspected poachers took to their heels .
However, the police gave chase and arrested two of the Mozambicans. Three
managed to escape.

Police recovered a white Isuzu vehicle which the suspected poachers were
using. They also recovered several bales of clothes believed to have been
smuggled into the country through an undesignated entry point.

Masvingo police spokesman Inspector Tinaye Matake confirmed the incident on
Thursday, adding that the police have since beefed up operations along the
Mozambican border.

"We have arrested two Mozambicans following a shoot out with the police,"
said Matake

"We have also recovered the car in which the five were travelling in and an
assortment of goods, among them bales of clothes smuggled into the country.

"One of our officers was injured during the incident; he is recovering at
Chiredzi District Hospital."

Sources within the police force said that a combined operation involving the
police, the army and officers from the Department of National Parks and
Wildlife had been launched.

"We have beefed up security along the border to avoid similar incidents,"
said a source in the police.

"We have also discovered that there are several undesignated entry points
along the border which are used by both poachers and Zimbabweans who
illegally cross into Mozambique."

Poaching is rampant in the Gonarezhou National Park. The police and game
rangers blame Mozambicans for the poaching.