adminWhinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
A SUSPECTED poacher was arrested at a roadblock along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway while four people he was travelling with escaped. Adolph Mpofu, 34, of Malindela suburb in Bulawayo, was arrested for possessing equipment suspected to be used for poaching at around 1AM on Tuesday.
Mpofu was driving a Toyota Fortuner with South African number plates and heading towards Bulawayo.
Police did not state exactly where the roadblock was mounted on the highway.
National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said Mpofu was found with a 303 rifle with erased serial numbers fitted with a telescopic sight and a silencer, 23 rounds of live ammunition, an axe, two stainless steel hunters’ knives, a camouflage jacket, three Samsung S4 cellphones, a 50 millilitre Trisol Barrel cleaner, among other items.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the arrest of Adolph Mpofu who was found in possession of equipment suspected to be destined for use in poaching activities,” she said.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said police who were manning a roadblock stopped Mpofu’s vehicle and decided to search it.
She said Mpofu was arrested after the suspected poaching equipment was found in his car.
He is expected to appear in court soon.
Four other people who were with him are on the run after they escaped from the roadblock.
Police have warned members of the public against engaging in poaching activities.
derick.khumalo