adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
TWO men have been arrested on allegations of poisoning three elephants with cyanide in Bulilima District while their accomplice who provided them with the chemical is on the run. Methuseli Dube (24) from Chief Masendu’s area in Bulilima and Rockin Sibanda (25) of Chief Kavhula in Binga yesterday appeared before Plumtree magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa on initial remand and were not asked to plead.
They were remanded in custody to 7 November. The State is still trying to establish the source of the cyanide.
For the State, Mr Medica Tshuma said the two along with Guilty Nyathi who is on the run allegedly connived to kill elephants by poisoning them with cyanide.
It is alleged that on Monday the three proceeded to Thekwane River in Ndolwane area, Bulilima District, with some melons which they laced with cyanide.
They allegedly went on to mix cyanide with water and poured the mixture into a dish and they placed the poisoned items in the river for the elephants to drink.
The poisoned items were discovered by officers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, officers from Bulilima Rural District Council and police officers who inspected the area following reports on the poisoning of elephants in the area.
Villagers from the area identified the owner of the dish who led the police to her homestead and she indicated that the accused had borrowed her dish leading to their arrest.
Mr Tshuma told the court that Nyathi who is still at large is suspected to have supplied his accomplices with the cyanide which he acquired from Tsholotsho.
Three elephant carcasses that were poisoned with cyanide were this week discovered in the Ndolwane area.
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derick.khumalo