Just a few days away from World Ranger Day (Sunday 31 July), the three men suspected to have gunned down game ranger Anton Mzimba and injured his wife have yet to be apprehend.
It emerged on Thursday that three men shot Mzimba’s screaming wife in the stomach after she saw them shooting her husband outside their home near Bushbuckridge on Tuesday night.
She is currently in a critical condition, fighting for her life in hospital.
Also read: Wildlife warrior has fallen – game ranger Anton Mzimba shot dead
The three assailants approached the Mzimba household in Edinburgh Trust at around 7.00 pm, claiming that they were experiencing problems with their vehicle and required some water to resolve it, according to News 24.
The trio then attacked Mzimba outside while a child, who came from within the house, tried to assist them. Mzimba was shot several times before the men opened fire on his screaming wife.
Both him and his wife were taken to the nearest hospital but Mzambi succumbed to his injuries.
The men fled the Mzimba home empty-handed, in a white VW Polo and have yet to be apprehended.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the motive for the shooting is still unknown and would form part of their investigation. However, claims have been made that Mzimba’s murder was a targeted incident in connection with a syndicate’s anti-poaching efforts.
As reported by EWN, Minister if Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, paid tribute to Mzimba hailing him as a rhino warrior.
“I take this opportunity to salute his personal courage. Mr Mzimba had 24 years’ experience as a field ranger and his murder highlights the dangers the rangers face protecting our countries wildlife on a daily basis.”
She has called for a renewed fight against rhino poaching, as per a separate News 24 report.
“We urge all who are concerned about rhino poaching and the toll it is taking on our rangers to reach out with concrete offers of help. Our duty is to pick up Ranger Mzimba’s fallen spear and continue the battle in his name.”
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Picture: @GoodThingsGuy / Twitter
