Ranger shot dead

Bulawayo Bureau.

A National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority game ranger was shot dead in the Victoria Falls National Park by fellow rangers who mistook him for a poacher.

The incident occurred last week in Matetsi on the banks of Zambezi River.

Police in Victoria Falls confirmed the shooting saying investigations were still under way.

However, a source with the parks authority said the shooting was as a result of failure by the deploying ranger to notify the game rangers that another troop was within the same area on patrol.

The source said the ranger who was shot had been deployed earlier with his troop and had been left to guard a campsite and prepare food for his colleagues who had gone on patrol.

"The ranger was left to look after the camp and prepare food while his troop went for patrol," said the source who asked not to be named.

He said after being left alone, the ranger took off his uniform and went to fetch water from the Zambezi River with the parks authority issued AK rifle on his shoulder.

The source said the second troop of rangers arrived at the scene at around that time and were not expecting to see anyone walking with a rifle other than poachers.

When they spotted him, they thought he was a poacher since he was not in uniform.

"As he fetched water, the rangers from the other troop opened fire on him.

"He was hit several times before falling into the river. They approached his floating body only to identify him as one of them," he said.

His body was taken to Victoria Falls Hospital Mortuary and two rangers are assisting police with investigations. No comment could immediately be obtained from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. — Bulawayo Bureau.

If the initial report is correct, that is one unlucky fellow... just doing his job and get's shot by his buddies.

Shoot first and ask questions later???

I agree with Ann. With superior numbers some other approach would have been wise, unless of course they were either trying to "send a message" or thought he might have had friends around.
Peter.

Awful tough to pass judgement on a situation just based on a newspaper account. But try to imagine approaching a man with an AK-47 on his shoulder who just happens to be dressed alot like people who have a tendency to try and kill you, might make most anyone a bit trigger happy.

That's a serious mistake...quite the pity. I wonder if there is more to the story than told?

Not the first time. During our "rhino war" (87-93) we lost Four scouts killed by poaches, three by SA Military/CIA and three by our own fire. Charlie Magna was also very lucky to survive taking two F.N. bullets through the guts from Mark Bowler one night.

Having ben one of the hunter killer team that whiped out our own patrol I know how easyily it happens, especially in low light or at night. Many of the new "rangers" have been forced upon parks from the ranks of our notorious "youth bregades". They refuse to wear uniform. Men out of possition, not in uniform & carrying AK's are presumed to be poachers. Policy is shoot on sight.

Moral- Always wear uniform and always carry an F.N. !!!! Then even if you get lost you won't get shot

Not a good situation; I feel for his family.

The way I understand it, groups of poachers, especially from Zambia, usually have two or three guys with rifles and the rest are skinners, carriers, etc. The game ranger field policy upon coming up on such a group is to first take out the rifle-bearers, then apprehend the rest. Of course, Ganyana would be the best source of info about this; it's just what I heard from a 'knowledgable source'.

They don't look favorably upon poachers in that area. In addition to general game protection, there are areas in the park (especially Sinamatella),that contain rhino that are under intense management, and poachers love to 'grab and go' with rhino horn.

In the not-too-distant past, stories of the activities of game rangers read like the accounts of the old-timers from many years ago: two-man patrols being dropped off in one spot and told to be at another spot for heli pickup two weeks later (many k's away); sinking fishing boats while the occupants were 'fishing', but really waiting to pick up a poaching party to ferry them back across the river; etc.

AIA .

Rangers appear in court

Bulawayo Bureau.

TWO Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers who shot and killed their colleague suspecting him to be a poacher in the Victoria Falls National Park appeared in court on Thursday.

Bhekinkosi Pathi (22) of Sinamatela National Parks Camp and Mgcini Mlilo (25) of Robins Camp appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Mr Richard facing allegations of contravening

section 47 (1) of the Criminal Law and Codification Act.

Pathi and Mlilo who were not asked to plead were remanded out of custody on $10 million bail each to 11 January next year.

They were ordered not to interfere with witnesses, reside at the given addresses and report to police once a month.

Prosecutor Mr Palmer Khumalo, alleged that on December 18 in the Mpalajela area,in Victoria Falls National Park, the two or one of them unlawfully and intentionally killed Josphat Matsheza (23).

According to the court record, both admitted to firing 13 shots towards the direction of where Matsheza was standing.

Five cartridges were recovered and Matsheza’s body had bullet wounds. — Bulawayo Bureau.