Suspected poachers nabbed

Herald Reporter January 26, 2008

POLICE have arrested 11 suspected poachers, believed to have killed 15 elephants in a period of two weeks in Hwange and recovered two rifles and 25 elephant tusks.

The elephants were killed between January 1 and 10 this year at Chizarira National Parks in Hwange.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri said the suspects went to the national park where they killed the 15 elephants and removed their tusks.

They also got away with the meat.

On January 10, a councillor in the Muchesu Ward in Binga, Mr Van Muleya (35) who was walking in the national park, discovered elephant carcasses and made a report to the police.

Four days later, the Police Support Unit was deployed in the area and carried out searches.

They found elephant meat at some homes in the area and arrested 12 people, leading to the recovery of the tusks.

Investigations resulted in the arrest of suspects Johanne Munsaka (31) and Isaac Phiri (58) who admitted to killing the elephants. The two implicated nine others who were arrested.

They then led police to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two magazines and 81 rounds of ammunition, which were hidden in a bush.

Supt Phiri said the two were still assisting police with investigations.

"Investigations are still in progress and we believe that there are more people involved in the poaching business," he said.

He said police were keen to interview two other suspects identified as Mandebvu and Patrick Nyate in connection with the case.