TWO suspected poachers were killed in a fatal shootout at the weekend in DX Marongora Game Park near Nyamakate, Chief Chundu area.
According to multiple sources, the deceased were part of a team that went on a hunting expedition ahead of the festive season.
There were four suspects during the contact with an anti-poaching unit.
Two of the suspects were shot and died on the spot while one was injured on both legs.
The fourth suspect has since been arrested.
The case is being investigated by Zimbabwe Republic Police at Makuti. According to sources the poachers, who have been identified, are from Hurungwe ward 7 in Nyamakate village. The deceased are Mapako Tawanda of village 23 and Courage Maodza of village 20A.
It is alleged that the bodies of the deceased were transported by a helicopter late on Saturday due to the terrain where the shootout occurred along the Zambezi Valley escarpment. Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident saying investigations are ongoing.
“...There was an armed contact in Hurungwe where unfortunately two suspected poachers lost their lives," Farawo said.
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"During the incident, one of the survivors was injured while the fourth one was arrested. The matter was reported to the police and investigations are underway."
Hurungwe North MP Pax Muringazuva under which Nyamakate falls said he was still to get official confirmation on the incident.
"I am in the dark about the incident. I am still trying to confirm with authorities but so far (I have) nothing tangible that l can submit to you," Muringazuva said.
ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “I can confirm the death of two suspected poachers during an exchange of gunfire near Marongora. Investigations are still ongoing and police will release more details of the incident in due course.”
