Prince William mourns death of ‘committed, brave’ wildlife ranger

The 42-year-old ranger was shot and killed at his house at Edinburgh Trust in Thulamahashe, Mpumalanga on Tuesday night.

He was a lead ranger at Timbavati Game Reserve in Hoedspruit, Limpopo.

His commitment to the battle against rhino poaching earned him a nature conservation award and a meeting with Prince William last year via Zoom.

"I’m deeply saddened to learn of the killing of Anton Mzimba who I spoke to in November,” Prince William said in a tweet.

“Committed and brave, rangers like Anton are central to the conservation of Africa’s fantastic wildlife. Those responsible must swiftly be brought to justice. My thoughts are with his family."

Mpumalanga police suspect the killing to have been a hit since the suspects did not take any of his personal belongings.

Spokesperson Selvy Mohlala says Mzima’s wife was also wounded in the attack.

"According to the information, on the said day three armed men entered the house of the couple around 7pm where they pretended to be asking for water as their car had a problem. As the child was busy assisting them, it is said that the men abruptly approached the man of the house (who was busy in his car) and allegedly shot him several times.

"It is further alleged that his wife screamed after witnessing what has just happened to her husband, then she too was shot by the suspects in the stomach. The three suspects are said to have then fled the scene in a white VW Polo without taking anything in the house."

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