South Africa Disputes High Number of Mozambican Poacher Deaths

PRETORIA – The allegation that over 500 suspected poachers from Mozambique had so far been killed by South Africa was “highly overinflated”, a South African government spokesman said on Friday, according to a news report.

Former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano made the allegation this week, saying 82 Mozambicans had been killed this year. Much of the rhino poaching in South Africa has been blamed on Mozambicans coming into the Kruger National Park.

The South African spokesman declined to give a number of deaths, adding that the SA National Parks Service does not release data on the deaths of suspected poachers.