Arrest of Suspected ZimParks Ranger-Poacher Raises Syndicate Fears

Harare, Zimbabwe – The arrest of 39-year-old Hali Mubuya, a ZimParks ranger, on suspicion of killing and beheading three lions in Hwange National Park has ignited concerns about a potential poaching syndicate involving ZimParks officials.

The state-run newspaper, The Chronicle, reported on Sunday that Mubuya, stationed at Hwange National Park, was apprehended for allegedly killing the three lions the previous week.

According to the report, Mubuya was arrested after being found in possession of a firearm believed to have been used in the killings.

Authorities recovered a Point 458 service rifle and 52 rounds of ammunition, 30 of which had not been officially allocated to him by ZimParks.

Ballistic evidence linked the bullet head found at the scene to the recovered weapon, further implicating the ranger.

It is alleged that on October 22, Mubuya requested a colleague in the armory department to alter the date on his firearm return record. This suspicious activity triggered an investigation leading to his arrest.

In addition to the Point 458 ammunition, authorities discovered 8 rounds of Point 458, 15 rounds of Point 458, nine rounds of Point 416, 11 rounds of Point 373, one round of Point 308, one round of Gragnoff rifle, one round of Point 223 rifle, and 12 by 7 bore ammunition in his possession.

Mubuya appeared in Hwange Magistrate Court on Saturday, facing charges of unlawful hunting and unlawful possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate.

Conservationists have expressed skepticism about the charges against Mubuya, questioning why a ranger tasked with protecting wildlife would be charged with a relatively minor offense of hunting without a permit.

“Why would a ranger be charged with the lesser offense of hunting without a permit when he poached an animal using a government firearm within a protected area where he was supposed to protect wildlife?” a concerned conservationist asked.

Another conservationist took to X to comment, “The charges trivialize the heinous killing of the lions. The manner in which the crime was executed, the handling of reports, and ZimParks’ belated offer of a reward all point to an inside job with outside assistance.”

Mubuya was remanded in custody until November 1st.