Game ranger stabbed at Liwonde National Park

Liwonde National Park and African Parks game ranger Allan Kalonga was on Monday stabbed in his right thigh during a fight that ensued between rangers and poachers who were hunting warthogs illegally in the wildlife reserve.

He was admitted to St. Lukes Hospital in Zomba the same day.

When his bosses and workmates paid him a visit on Tuesday, Kalonga said he was feeling much better. 

In a separate interview with the park’s field operations manager Lawrence Munro, he said the rangers encountered two poachers armed with knives and spears pursuing warthogs.

“So, they intercepted them before they caught the animals, but one of them stabbed Kalonga,” he said.

Machinga Police Station deputy spokesperson Ngwashape Msume identified the suspect as Malizani Gunda who has been remanded at Liwonde Police Post.

“The case is still under investigation and one suspect is still at large,” she said.

Gunda, 27, comes from Traditional Authority (T/A) Kalembo in Balaka whereas Kalonga comes from T/A Kanduku in Mwanza.