Police in Bulawayo sh0t and k!lled a suspected ivory poacher after he attempted to run over detectives who were trying to arrest him.
Two other accomplices were also arrested during the operation.
The police had received a tip-off that the trio was in possession of ivory and pangolin skin worth an estimated US$8,000. When they arrived at the scene, they found the three men hiding in a small clearing.
The police officers attempted to apprehend them, but the suspects resisted arrest and tried to flee.
The deceased suspect, who was identified as Jabulani Chamiti, allegedly tried to run over the detectives with his vehicle. The police officers were forced to open fire to protect themselves, and Chamiti was fatally sh0t.
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The two other suspects, who were identified as Cosmas Ndebele and Philani Ndlovu, were arrested and are being held at a local police station pending charges. The police recovered a large quantity of ivory and pangolin skin from the suspects, which is believed to be worth thousands of dollars.
The incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by wildlife poaching in Zimbabwe, which is home to many endangered species, including elephants and pangolins.
Wildlife poaching is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for both human and animal populations. The illegal trade in ivory and pangolin scales is driven by demand from criminal networks and is often linked to organized crime.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
