Durban - An alleged burglar was killed by a field ranger at the Sodwana Bay Resort in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.
It is alleged that an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife field ranger shot and killed a suspect who broke into one of the chalets at around 01:00 on Tuesday morning.
The 23-year-old man from Siphahleni in Mbazwana allegedly broke into a chalet and stole a wallet, two cellphones and car keys belonging to guests, said Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo.
“When he left the chalet he was confronted by the field ranger who was patrolling the area and had received the information about the break-in,” Mntambo said.
He added that the suspect pointed his loaded 9mm firearm at the ranger, who fired at the man. He managed to run a few metres before collapsing.
Agriculture and Environmental Affairs MEC Dr Meshack Radebe said they are waiting for the finalisation of the police investigations and cannot say much at this stage.
Spate of crimes
“It has to be made clear that if our field ranger did not react as he did, we would have lost him. Recently we launched a Community Rhino Ambassador Project, which does not only seek to help save the rhino, but to also play a pivotal role in the communities in helping to reduce criminal activities.”
Ezemvelo has recently deployed additional field rangers at Sodwana Bay Resort following a spate of crimes against guests and say they have managed to reduce the level of criminal activities.
Ezemvelo CEO Dr Bandile Mkhize expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased suspect and appealed to the community living outside the resort to work with Ezemvelo to fight crime that keeps visitors away. This hurts surrounding businesses, including informal traders.
Police spokesperson Captain Thulani Zwane said Mbazwana police are investigating an inquest.
“An unlicensed firearm was found at the scene and it will be taken to ballistics to determine if it was used in the commission of any other crime in the country. No arrest has been made at this stage,” said Zwane.
The alleged burglar’s name has not been released.
