Two police officers have reportedly been shot dead by a suspected poacher in south-eastern Zimbabwe during a police raid.
News24 reports that the police had received a tip-off that the village was harbouring poachers and weapons.
The two police sergeants had handcuffed a 22-year old suspect, Chaita Simango and wanted to conduct a search of his house.
The armed poacher is said to have been following the police’s conversation from inside the house. When Simango led the officers into the house, the suspect is said to have opened fire killing the officers and Simango instantly.
A third police officer is reported to have escaped the shooting.
Police are still hunting for the poacher who fled the scene after the murders.
Zimbabwe is on high alert for poachers after 60 elephants were recently poisoned with cyanide in Hwange National Park, in the west of the country.
There have been several other poisoning incidents reported in separate wildlife areas since September.
