Walter Mswazie  Masvingo Correspondent
TWO poachers have been shot dead by game scouts at Malilangwe Conservancy Trust in Chiredzi, police confirmed yesterday.
Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna said the incident occurred last Saturday at around 4AM.He said Emmanuel Moyo, 28, of Gwanda was shot together with an accomplice suspected to be a South African national.

The identity of the South African has been withheld until his next of kin have been notified.

“I can confirm receiving a report about two armed suspected poachers who were shot dead by game scouts in Chiredzi. The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Chiredzi Hospital mortuary for postmortem,” said Asst Insp Nduna.

Sources say on the day in question, Moyo and his accomplice allegedly entered Malilangwe Conservancy Trust for the purposes of poaching wild animals.

“The pair, who had rifles, got into the conservancy at dawn and it is suspected that they were targeting large mammals. Unbeknown to them, two Malilangwe Conservancy Trust game scouts; Exodus Nyika, 26 and Patrick Magodo, 36, were on routine patrol and they quickly intercepted them,” said the source.

The two opened fire and the scouts fired back.

“The gun exchanges went on for some time until the two poachers were shot dead. Both died on the spot before their rifles were confiscated and handed over to the police.”

Asst Insp Nduna said poaching is a dangerous crime and advised the public not to engage in such crimes as they risk losing their lives.

“Poaching is by nature a dangerous crime. Although we’re not sure of the deceased’s motives, the impression is that they wanted to poach wild animals. Anyone caught attempting to poach risks losing their life,” he said.

Last year, poachers killed more than 100 animals mainly in Matabeleland North Province through cyanide poisoning.