ZIMBABWE – An anti-poaching investigator is in critical condition after he was attacked and burned in his vehicle by a vicious gang of poachers.

Faceofmalawi has learned that the 28-year-old investigator who works for the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF) was reportedly travelling from Beitbridge to Harare when he was tailed by the gang of poachers. The investigator was travelling in a Toyota Runx vehicle when he was intercepted and set upon by the gang members who were travelling in two vehicles.

The suspected poachers doused the investigator’s car with fuel before setting it on fire. He sustained serious burns in the attack and had to be airlifted to Harare for specialist treatment after being initially treated in Beitbridge.

The horrific attack was confirmed by Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo. Speaking to local media house ZTN, Farawo said,

“This is an unfortunate incident, where suspected poachers attacked an International Anti-Poaching Foundation investigator in Beitbridge.

“They sprinkled the investigator’s vehicle with petrol and set it on fire. He incurred burn wounds and was initially taken to Beitbridge hospital where he was then airlifted to Harare for further treatment,”

Farawo warned that poachers have become brazen of late and are having deadly contacts with anti-poaching law enforcement personnel.