4 Arrested: Game Meat Recovered

The Herald (Harare)

February 23, 2005

Sekai Chinyanga
Harare

POLICE in Gwanda have arrested four suspected poachers and recovered two vehicles, game meat and five rifles near West Nicholson.

Police spokesman Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka confirmed the arrest of Blessed Mavhiya (35), Sibusiso Sibanda (35), Simon Mupamba (44) and Tendai Tshuma (24), who were travelling in two Mazda pick-up trucks with foreign registration numbers. He said the four went to Chomufukwe Ranch and allegedly left one of their cars parked at Butange Dam with the intention of killing wild animals for meat. The truck left at the dam was found loaded with two impalas.

Police, acting from a tip off, followed the poachers to the dam.

They laid an ambush and the unsuspecting poachers, who were travelling in another truck, returned to the scene a few minutes later.

Police arrested them and searched the vehicle, leading to the recovery of a deep freezer with giraffe meat, guns and several rounds of ammunition.

They are investigating the case.