POLICE have launched an investigation into the death of a suspected poacher who allegedly died in the custody of State security agents.
Best Kaimba (41), from Zvataida village in Madziva, Mashonaland Central province, was recently arrested having been found in possession of two pangolins. He was arrested around mid-day at the business centre.
It is alleged that Kaimba was killed by one of the officers during a joint operation at Madzorere business centre in Zvimba, Mashonaland West, on September 16, 2023.
Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that a probe has been launched into the shooting incident.
“Reference is made to your request to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on a shooting (incident) which occurred at Madzorere business centre, Kutama, on September 23, 2023. The ZRP is aware of the shooting incident and is conducting investigations,” Nyathi said, adding that more details would be released once investigations were complete.
According to an internal police memo leaked recently, Kaimba was a victim of suspected brutality by a team comprising members from the International Anti-Poaching Fund’s Wildlife Crime Unit, Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) Kwekwe, the Minerals, Fauna and Flora Unit (MFFU) — Kadoma and the Criminal Investigation Department from Chegutu.
MFFU is a section within the ZRP whose mandate is to monitor and curb illegal activities, particularly those involving precious resources such as minerals, wildlife resources and public utilities and infrastructure.
“The above team apprehended the accused person and recovered two pangolins (a mother and baby) from him. There were two live pangolins and a firearm certificate recovered from the suspect,” part of the memo read.
“The police RRB-533529 was opened at ZRP Kutama Police Station following his death, where it is suspected that one of the officers shot him dead and they have tried to conceal evidence claiming he had shot himself during a scuffle when he resisted arrest.”
Meanwhile, the murder probe has since been transferred to Norton Police Station, while the recovered pangolins were handed over to ZimParks.