The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) on Monday reported the death of four suspected poachers in Sedudu, an Island between Botswana and Namibia, in the Southern Channel of Chobe River.

According to Col. Tebo Dikole, spokesperson for the BDF, the killings followed an incident between members of the BDF and the poachers.

“The matter has been handed over to relevant investigating agencies,” said Dikole, adding that the incident occurred while the mission was defending Botswana’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and national interests.

The incident comes against the backdrop of an alarming surge of organised poaching for rhinoceros and elephants, especially in the Western part of the country in the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park.

On the contrary, media reports from Namibia said the police have confirmed that the four were fishermen. Three of the deceased are Namibian natives while one is a Zambian, the reports said. (PANA/NAN)