Ivory poacher fatally shot, 2 accomplices arrested

POLICE in Bulawayo shot dead a suspected ivory poacher while two others were arrested after he tried to run over detectives who sought to arrest them following a tip off that the trio held ivory and pangolin skin worth US$8 000.

Jabulani Chamiti (37) died at the United Bulawayo Hospitals while his accomplices, Philani Ndlovu (23) and Cosmas Sebele (56), were arrested. The incident occurred on Saturday on the outskirts of Bulawayo near Mbokodo area along the Bulawayo-Plumtree highway . All the suspects come from Lupane in Matabeleland North.

National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident.

“Three men were found in possession of ivory and a pangolin skin worth US$8000,” he said.

Commissioner Nyathi said after being ambushed by the police, the three tried to resist arrest leading to police opening fire.

“Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement officers encountered a sky blue Honda Fit bearing registration number AFA 2997 and insisted on conducting a thorough search.

“The officers approached the vehicle, only for the driver to abruptly start the engine and accelerate towards one of the investigating detectives with apparent intent to run him over,” he said.

“Displaying quick reflexes, the police officer narrowly avoided the danger by swiftly evading the oncoming vehicle and as a result the police fired at their car, with one of the suspects sustaining gunshot wounds and later dying at UBH,” said Comm Nyathi.

He said Ndlovu and Sebele were arrested on the scene leading to the recovery of the five pieces of ivory and a pangolin skin.

Comm Nyathi said there is no going back in fighting crime and law enforcement will decisively deal with those found on the wrong.