Anti-poaching unit mourns officer killed by elephant

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) says it is struggling to come to terms with the death of one its long serving officers who was killed by a stray elephant on Friday.

Clever Kapandura (51) was attacked by the elephant near the Victoria Falls City Council owned-Bonnaise Air bush during a morning patrol.

“He was a very good friend of ours and we had been working together for 30 years, so we are very saddened about his passing and my husband is struggling quite a lot with his death,” Teddy Brightman, the wife of VFAPU founder Charles Brightman said.

“I hope on Monday he will be able to talk as everyone is trying to come to terms with his death right now,” Teddy Brightman said.

She said the organisation and Kapandura’s family were working on burial arrangements.

“What is more (painful) is that he left behind a small baby, his wife who can’t even speak.

“He was a very respectable man in the community and we are working on the funeral arrangements with his family.

“So when its good time, we will like to talk to you about his works, but it’s tough for us”

According to an eye witness, Kapandura was attacked within a short space of time, which made it difficult for him to escape.

He was pronounced dead on the scene by an Ace Ambulance Services crew.

His head, arms and legs were crushed in the vicious attack.

Teddy Brightman confirmed that the elephant was put down hours later.

Lovemore Ndlovu said the bull elephant was gunned down around the Aerodrome area about five hours after the tragic incident after a helicopter was dispatched to track it.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (and police were among the institutions that joined hands to search for the stray elephant.