adminFreedom Mupanedemo Midlands Correspondent
Zimparks game rangers were left groping in the dark in the early hours of Sunday after a suspected poacher they had arrested dramatically escaped in handcuffs.
The two armed game rangers had arrested the suspect, Tafireyi Matsva and handcuffed him at around 2AM on Sunday, but he surprised them when he sped away into the darkness.
They had shot and injured Matsva’s colleague Knowledge Dube, 24 while on patrol in Chirisa Game Park in Gokwe, police confirmed.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emanuel Mahoko said Dube was admitted to Gokwe District Hospital under police guard while police were now tracking down his accomplice, Matsva (age not given) who fled with handcuffs.
“Two game rangers were on patrol in Chirisa Game Park on Sunday at about 2AM when they came across Knowledge Dube, and brothers Tafireyi and Batanai Matsva poaching in the game park,” he said.
“Knowledge, who was armed with a spear, charged at the rangers but was shot and injured on the right leg. The game rangers managed to arrest Dube and Tafireyi who escaped with the handcuffs and disappeared into the dark.”
Insp Mahoko said the matter was reported to the police and Dube was taken to hospital.
“Tafireyi, who was initially handcuffed, later escaped with the handcuffs and police are tracking him down together with his brother who also fled,” he said.
Online Reporter