THREE Zambian suspected poachers have been killed in Zimbabwe after an exchange of gun fire with authorities in that country.
The incident is said to have occurred on March 5.
The three were among 11 other Zambians who were allegedly caught poaching in Hwange National Park by the Zimbabwe Parks Authority (Zim Parks).
They have been named as Lisulo Mweemba, Dan Kongo and the third identified only as Chikoti. They have reportedly been buried by their colleagues in that country.
Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) spokesperson Mwila Muliyunda said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that information received indicates that the 14 Zambians were confronted by Zim Parks officials and a shoot-out ensued resulting in the death of three of the suspects and the wounding of others.
She said Zim Parks officials are said to have recovered a pair of ivory and 14 rounds of ammunition.
“ZAWA Investigations unit has contacted Zim Parks to establish circumstances in which the suspects were shot,” Ms Muliyunda said.
She said one of the wounded suspects, Lindunda Walubita is still in a hospital in Bulawayo under the custody of the authorities.
Ms Muliyunda added that another suspect only identified as John made it back to Zambia and is reportedly nursing gunshot wounds at Mandea village in Kazungula.
In another incident, ZAWA is investigating a case in which six Zambians were allegedly arrested by Namibian authorities at Katima Mulilo border post for allegedly being in possession of six ivory tusks.
Four Botswana citizens have also been arrested in connection with the case.
In these other countries they do not tolerate nonsense like we do in Zambia. We watch smugglers cross our borders at undesignated crossing points and just look the other way as if we do not have security wings.
Now they will think twice before venturing into Zimbabwe as they shot on sight and buried in shallow graves for hyenas and jackals to eat…if these guys are going to Zimbabwe it means they have finished everything in Zambia.
What a wasted life as a poacher. Hunting animals while being hunted like an animal at the same time. Surely, there must be a better way of earning a living.
Hunger has struck Zambia……what a country! Next door in Namibia all senior citizens above 65 years old are on government payroll. Shows how mismanaged we are!
Basopo bafana mucenjere. Ku Zimbabwe samasewera. Ulikutamba nama game gadi ka iwe. Bacakuroba zvokutitu. Kodi malonda aminyanga ya njovu akaliko kuti muzifa conco bafana? Tiyeni kumunzi tikalime. osati kuba nyama zamthengo. muuzeni Sata akupatseni nchito.
2 bad 4 pochers.wat about all sorts of beers smuggled into our country i.e comesa mkt,chilenje,matero,devil street all ova z country.and we say we have security and and anti smuggling unit.jiliz its now being packed in big bottles and young lives are being lost while law makers are watching.wat a shame.