FIVE suspects linked to the recent cyanide poisoning of 11 elephants at Hwange National Park have been rounded up in a joint operation involving police and rangers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks).
BY Staff Reporter
ZimParks spokesperson Caroline Washaya-Moyo confirmed the arrests yesterday and identified the suspects as Regan Bell (24), Peace Ndebele (26), Mandlenkosi Masuku (25), Reason Ncube (26), and Khumbulani Ndlovu (27).
“Houses of the suspects were searched and all shoes found in the house were taken in an effort to match with the spoor pattern found at the scene. There is one pair of shoes belonging to Peace Ndebele, which might have been used,” she said, adding investigations were still continuing.
She said all the suspects were arrested at the Hwange Main Camp.
Meanwhile, three ZimParks officers from Hwange National Park have been arrested for theft of ivory, which was recovered at Harare International Airport this week.
They were identified as Edwin Makuwe (ecologist), Masimba Nyoni (senior ranger) and John Pedzi (ranger).
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“The offence was discovered during X-ray scanning by the National Handling Service. ZimParks applies zero tolerance to corruption.
“Anyone found carrying out illegal activities will face the full wrath of the law. The authority wants to ensure that poaching and illegal smuggling of wildlife and wildlife products is under control,” Washaya-Moyo said.
The trio appeared at the Hwange Magistrates’ Court yesterday for initial remand.
The resurgence in elephant poaching has jolted ZimParks into heightening its patrols after it lost more than 100 jumbos due to cyanide poisoning in the Hwange area, triggering an international outcry from animal rights groups. Zimbabwe is home to some of Africa’s largest elephant herds.
