A SUSPECTED wildlife poacher in Gwayi, Matabeleland North
province, died of suspected poisoning while detained at Dete Police Station,
with police saying they suspect he could have drunk the poison on his way to
the station.
Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector
Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the incident yesterday, but declined to disclose the
deceased’s identity, saying his next of kin were yet to be informed.
“We are not sure when the man drank the killing substance,
but he did not drink it in police custody,” Makonese said.
“The man could have drunk the substance on their way to the
police station and we are not sure when he consumed it, as others escaped. He
died as soon as the officers arrived with him at the police station.”
Indications are that on May 27, police and the Zimbabwe
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) rangers had arrested several
suspected poachers in Gwayi.
Some of the poachers escaped from police custody while
being led to the police station and the officers remained with the now
deceased.
On detaining him, the police officers told the man to stay
close to his exhibits. This is when he used the opportunity to drink cyanide, a
deadly substance that killed him instantly in police custody,” a source said.
“We are worried as members of the community about the
matter. How can this happen in the presence of police officers? Was it the
negligence of police officers or the deceased taking chances on them?”
ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo could not be reached
for comment yesterday. Newsday
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