BINGA — A poaching suspect shot in the knee by National Parks and Wildlife Management rangers before being arrested in December last year at Chizarira National Park was on Thursday further remanded to March 1.
Takunda Gundani (26) of Simuchembu village in Gokwe is still admitted at Mpilo Hospital.
Gundani was allegedly shot by the rangers on December 23 and was arrested while his accomplices fled.
The shooting occurred after they had killed a warthog and Gundani was lifting his share of meat. On Thursday, the magistrate remanded Gundani in absentia to March 1 for trial after the court was told he was still in hospital.
In his initial appearance, Gundani, who appeared in pain, related his ordeal before the magistrate and the State counsel.
He said on the fateful day he was hunting for game with his six accomplices who ran away.
“We had killed a warthog. After sharing it, and when I was lifting my share of the meat, rangers shot and hit me in the knee without any warning shots. We were not carrying guns, we had only our dogs and spears. We did not see them and they should have caught us without causing any harm, but they just decided to shoot at us,” said Gundani.
The State is investigating circumstances surrounding Gundani’s shooting considering the fact he was shot from the front. Bruce Maphosa is prosecuting.
