‘Mozambican poachers’ killed in Kruger Park

By Jose Tembe 

Six young Mozambican men have been shot dead this year in South Africa's Kruger National Park, an official in Mozambique says.

The men, all from Mozambique’s Massingir district which borders the park, were suspected of being poachers.

Last year, at least nine suspected poachers from Massingir were killed in the park, one of the world's most famous game reserves.

Hundreds of wild animals are poached there every year, especially rhinos whose horns are highly valued in parts of Asia.

Mozambique’s authorities were working with the local community to try to dissuade young people from poaching, Massingir district administrator Sergio Moyane said.

It caused disgrace and grief to families, leaving widowed women and orphaned children, he said.

“We have been using posters, targeting different groups and getting students help to organise debates in communities to say poaching is not a solution” 

“First, it is because it leaves many women widowed and orphaned children. Without the breadwinner, these suffer a lot.”

“This is a complex issue and generally, we only learn about the deaths when we receive coffins.”

This article originally appeared on BBC News 

Photo: Getty Images