Suspected Zambian Poacher Shot Dead in Country

Source: The Times of Zambia (Ndola)

Date: 12 October 2007

Author: Anon

A poacher, suspected to be Zambian, has been shot dead in Zimbabwe, while his three accomplices who fled the wildlife scouts' dragnet have been arrested and detained by Livingstone police.

And a 23-year-old Australian tourist died in Livingstone yesterday during rafting on the Zambezi river, Southern Province police chief, Chewe Bowa, confirmed both incidents yesterday.

On the shot poacher, Mr Bowa said although Zimbabwean authorities had reported to their Zambian counterparts on the killing of the poacher, it had still not been established whether he was Zambian.

Mr Bowa who did not release the deceased's name, said police officers from Zambia had been sent to the neighbouring the Victoria Falls town where his body was in the hospital mortuary.

Mr Bowa said the detained trio was also arrested in Livingstone after fleeing from the neighbouring country's national park.

He said more details would be released after the return of the Zambian team from the Victoria Falls town.

Mr Bowa said many Zambians usually connived with good hunters from Angola and it was possible the victim could be of any other nationality.

On the dead tourist, he said the victim met his fate during rafting on the eighth gorge and police officers were still searching for his body.

Mr Bowa said his name had been withheld until his next of kin were informed about the tragedy.

Mr Bowa said police had received information about the accident, which occurred at 12:15hours on Tuesday.

He was staying at Safari Par Excellency.