It is with a heavy heart that WAN shares the tragic news that Anton Mzimba, Head of Ranger Services at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, in the Lompopo Providence of South Africa, was shot and killed outside of his home on Tuesday evening.
According to a statement released yesterday by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the horrific incident left 49-year-old Mzimba dead and his wife fighting for her life after being admitted to a hospital shortly after the shooting incident.
There is currently a man hunt for three armed suspects that were pretending to ask Mzimba for water after their vehicle had an issue. A child at the scene was busy assisting the men as they abruptly approached Mzimba and allegedly shot him several times. The suspects are said to have fled the scene in a white VW Polo without taking anything from the house.
“We strongly condemn this barbaric act and we are adamant that it’s just a matter of time before we arrest the perpetrators and put them behind bars, knowing it very well that our community will come on board as they always support us in our endeavour to fight crime,” said Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela. “Those suspects should be hunted down and be brought to book.”
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve also shared the heartbreaking news of Mzimba’s passing on its website and social media platforms, noting that the esteemed ranger has left a legacy that will never be forgotten.
Mzimba worked at Timbavati for 25 years and taught the local children the importance of conservation in order to save Africa’s precious wildlife. He dedicated his life to the protection of rhinos and many other threatened and endangered species in South Africa.
