Charcoal burner shot dead in Nkhotakota

A charcoal burner is reported dead after being shot by game rangers in Nkhota-kota.

Nkhotakota Police Officer-in-Charge Timothy Phiri confirmed of the development in an interview with Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) and identified the deceased as Joseph Mwawi Chunga.

According to Phiri, the deceased was shot by a stray bullet during running battles between game rangers and charcoal burners in Nkhotakota.

Phiri said police received a report on the matter and took the body to the district hospital for postmortem.

It is reported that the rangers were shooting in the air to scare community members that interfering with the operation by stoning at the officers.

Four park officers were arrested in connection to the incident but they have been granted bail.