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Amos Mpofu-Bulawayo Bureau
POLICE in Bulawayo shot dead a suspected ivory poacher in self defence, after he and his two accomplices tried to run over one of the detectives who had come to investigate following a tip-off that the three 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 the outskirts of Bulawayo near Mbokodo area along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road on Saturday. All the suspects come from Lupane in Matabeleland North. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the three men were found in possession of ivory and a pangolin skin worth US$8 000.
Commissioner Nyathi said after being ambushed by the police the three tried to resist arrest. “Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement officers encountered a sky blue Honda Fit bearing registration number AFA2997, 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 at the scene leading to the recovery of the five pieces of ivory and a pangolin skin.
Asst Comm Nyathi said there was no going back in fighting crime and law enforcement would decisively deal with those found in the wrong.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter