Two Arrested for Killing, Stealing Ostriches at Ha...

Two Arrested for Killing, Stealing Ostriches at Haka Game Park

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Court Correspondent

Two men have appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on charges of killing and stealing ostriches at Haka Game Park in Masasa.

Wisdom Supayi ,31, and Francis Office ,40, were charged with theft of trust property.

According to the State, on February 3 at around 1:30 AM, the duo, along with four accomplices who remain at large, scaled the security fence at Haka Game Park and entered the ostrich pen. They allegedly used a log to kill four ostriches before escaping. The stolen birds were valued at US$3,000. A police report was later filed at ZRP Rhodesville.

The prosecution further alleges that on February 7 at around noon, the same group returned, breached the fence again, and killed two more ostriches worth US$2,000 using the same method. Another report was made at ZRP Rhodesville.

On February 9, at around noon, the suspects attempted a third attack. They allegedly killed two ostriches and were about to kill a third when a security guard spotted them and opened fire, injuring Supayi. Despite his wounds, he and his accomplices fled, leaving behind the carcasses.

Supayi was later arrested at his residence, where police found gunshot wounds on both his legs and recovered ostrich feathers.

He reportedly admitted to the crime and implicated Office, who was also arrested. More ostrich feathers were recovered from Office’s home.

The duo further implicated their four accomplices, who are still on the run.