Minister in poaching and murder row

A MINISTER in Zimbabwe’s coalition government has said he is “astonished” by police claims that his vehicle was used by rhinoceros poachers who are accused of killing a wildlife ranger.

Sessel Zvidzai, deputy local government minister in the former opposition MDC party, said yesterday that he sold the truck two years ago. He was surprised by headlines in state media controlled by President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party implicating him in poaching.

Three suspects appeared in court in Harare on Wednesday accused of murder and of possessing rhino horn worth $120,000 found in a vehicle registered in the minister’s name.