Cops declare war on criminals

Luthando Mapepa Post Correspondent
THE police have declared war on criminals and poachers amid reports that crack teams are rounding up suspects following the recent cold-blooded murder of two sergeants and a civilian by a rabid criminal who attacked them with an AK47 rifle.

Addressing mourners during the funeral parade of Sergeants Robert Shumba and Vengai Mazhara at Chipinge Central Police Station last week, Officer Commanding Manicaland Police Senior Assistant Commissioner James Nyakotyo warned criminals that their days were numbered.

He said the police will leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits to book.

“We are saddened by the barbaric attacks on members of the uniformed forces. Let me assure everyone that the police will do everything to apprehend all the culprits involved in this case. We also want to thank the Chipinge community especially the business community and farmers for the unwavering support they offered in making sure that our comrades are laid to their befitting final places,” he said.

The police officers were shot dead on November 24 after a trigger-happy suspected poacher sprayed bullets from an AK 47 rifle during a police raid at a hide-out in Chipinge’s Naffaton Farm.

The suspect who vanished soon after the cold-blooded incident also gunned down his alleged accomplice who had been arrested.

The slain cops together with Constable Tinashe Madenga who survived the gunfire, were assigned to carry out investigations after receiving a tip-off that suspected armed poachers were seen at night in Makotopeya Village which is located close to Chipangayi Safari Game Reserve.

Sgt Shumba was buried in Musindo Village, under Chief Mataruse in Mberengwa while Sgt Mazhara was buried in Ndimo Village under Chief Mkanganwi in Bikita.

Interviewed villagers were still at a loss of words on describing how the cops were attacked. They said they were living in fear.

Mrs Yudith Makocheredze (19), the wife of the slain suspect, Chaita Simango (22) said the attack on the police officers was ruthless.

She suspected that her husband was a member of the poaching syndicate targeting rhinos at the nearby Chipangayi Game Reserve.

“It was around 2pm when police arrived at our place. We were four, relaxing at home. I was seated outside with my husband.

“The assailant was inside the hut. The police pretended to be charcoal buyers. We insisted that we don’t sell charcoal since EMA had stopped the trade.

“They then introduced themselves as police officers and demanded to search our hut.

“They said they were looking for game meat and said nothing about firearms. My husband then directed them to our hut and did not tell them there was someone in the hut.

“The assailant was lying on the bed and when he saw Chaita handcuffed, he jumped and reached for his gun which was under the bed.

“He quickly fired towards the police officers. I disappeared when I heard the gunshots,” she said.

Judith said the assailant was co-ordinating a sizeable syndicate around the area since he had brought huge stocks of food from Chipinge.

“Since his arrival last week he spent most of the time inside the hut. He only went out when visiting the toilet. He would visit the nearby river with my hubby to wash their bags.”

Village head Mr Timothy Makocheredze said he survived death by a whisker.

“I could have been shot as I was the one directing the police to the scene. The officers approached me and I directed them.

“Right now we are frightened as a community because that criminal might return and attack us. We need protection,” he said.

The murder of the cops has raised more questions than answers as wildlife poaching in Zimbabwe is fast digressing from a conservation issue to a national security threat.

The Nafferton shootings have shown that wildlife poachers are now a sophisticated organised criminal syndicate capable of employing brutal tactics against our less resourced park rangers and police officers.

Information gathered shows that the Nafferton poachers operated well-coordinated syndicates that include foreign gangs.

The foreigners use cash to entice local people and the proceeds are from the poaching activities.