RANGERS SHOOT, KILL SUSPECTED POACHER

SITEKI – A man suspected to be a poacher was shot dead by rangers at the Hlane Royal National Park (RNP) on Sunday night.

Big Game Parks Head of Conservation Jubela Reilly, confirmed that a suspected poacher was fatally wounded at Hlane RNP. Reilly said rangers were on night patrol on Sunday and they became aware of the presence of poachers inside the Hlane RNP when they heard dogs barking. He said the rangers proceeded to the area to investigate. “At approximately 2am, two suspects and several dogs bumped into the rangers at close range, who immediately shone on the suspects with their torches and identified themselves and further shouted at them to drop their weapons and submit themselves to arrest,” he said.

Firearm

Reilly said one of the suspects was carrying a firearm. “The suspect with the firearm immediately swung towards the rangers instead of dropping it and this caused the rangers to fire at the suspect who was fatally wounded on the scene. The second suspect escaped into the darkness,” added Reilly. He further mentioned that in addition to the firearm and 13 rounds of ammunitions and other night hunting equipment were found on the scene. He stated that a dog was also shot dead on the scene.

Investigation

Reilly said police officers from the Simunye Police Station were immediately informed and they promptly attended to the scene of crime. “The police are investigation the circumstances of the incident,” he said. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the mater. Vilakati said the police had a report of a man who was suspected to be a poacher and was shot by rangers.

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