POACHERS CUT RANGER’S THROAT, STAB HIM WITH SPEAR

SITEKI – A ranger at Mbuluzi Game Reserve, near Simunye, is fighting for his life in hospital after suspected poachers cut his throat with a knife and further stabbed him multiple times with a spear.

Joseph Mnisi is currently hospitalised at Good Shepherd Hospital in Siteki, where his condition is reportedly serious.
Mnisi, together with colleagues and his Manager, Tal Fineburg, were pursuing suspected poachers at around 3pm on Tuesday, when he was ambushed allegedly by the suspected poachers, who were armed with spears.

According to Fineburg, they had earlier attempted to arrest the suspected poachers but they ‘resisted arrest’ and fled.
“While we were in pursuit of the poachers, we got split up and Mnisi ended up being isolated. He was ambushed by three of the poachers. They cut his throat with a knife,” said Fineburg.

He said the poachers, who were also in the company of dogs, then fled and the ranger was rushed to hospital.
“His condition is stable but he got injured in his lungs and underwent four hours of surgery for the cut to the chin and throat,” added Fineburg.

He stated that the ranger’s firearm was missing but he said they were confident it would be recovered.
Fineburg further expressed hope that this brutal attack on the ranger would show the public why rangers used their guns when they encountered poachers who were normally armed with spears and other weapons but not guns.

“In the past, people always criticised us for defending ourselves against people who are armed with spears. This is proof that a spear is dangerous, just like a firearm. When somebody is carrying a spear or a firearm, your life is being threatened,” he said.

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