Times Of Swaziland: ARMED  POACHER, DOGS SHOT DEAD

ARMED  POACHER, DOGS SHOT DEAD
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Stanley Khumalo on 18/09/2024 16:02:00


MANZINI – Three poachers attacked two game rangers inside Mlawula Nature
Reserve with a pack of dogs, stones, spears and homemade guns.
The incident happened on Monday in broad daylight, according to sources.
According to the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) Director of National
Parks, Thulani Methula, the three poachers were reportedly found within the
nature reserve and were hunting protected game with a pack of five dogs, spears,
stones and homemade guns. He purported that the encounter of the game rangers
and the trio resulted in a confrontation, which allegedly started with the
former being pelted with stones and the dogs being set on them. Methula supposed
that as the game rangers were outnumbered, one of them got stabbed in his thigh
and were also hit with stones on various body parts.
The ENTC director of national parks said he had gathered that the confrontation
escalated, as the poachers started firing at the game rangers with their
homemade guns.  In retaliation, he alleged that the game rangers exchanged
gunfire with the poachers wherein one of them was fatally wounded, while the
pair fled the scene. In the exchange of gunfire, it was said the kennel of dogs
was also fatally wounded.
The deceased, according to a family member, is Vusumuzi Fakudze aged 20. Fakudze
is said to be from one of the communities close to Mlawula Nature Reserve.
Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant
Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed that a poaching incident was reported
and also confirmed that a man died during the incident and the police are
investigating the matter.