“Earlier, we were holding six suspects but we have managed to arrest three more all of whom admitted during interrogation that they had a hand in Gower’s murder,” said Mushy.
Commander Mushy said they expected to arraign them tomorrow where they would answer charges.
According to him, the investigation has been completed by 90 per cent and he was confident that the suspects committed the crime.
“The suspects will be sent to the Simiyu Magistrate Court the day after tomorrow (today),” said Commander Mushy, adding that the suspects also surrendered the ivory from the three elephants they killed in the reserve.
In January 29, this year, British helicopter pilot Roger Gower was senselessly murdered by poachers in the Maswa Game Reserve that borders the Serengeti National Park.
Gower (37) was flying the 5HFGF chopper over the reserve when he was fired upon by suspected poachers who are believed to have just killed three elephants within the reserve’s boundaries.
He had been out along with a South African colleague, Nick Bester, who survived the attack thanks to Gower’s courage and selflessness in attempting to land the chopper, a move that gave his colleague a chance to jump out before it crash landed.
Gower’s death has caused uproar among Tanzania’s tourism sector fraternity with calls growing for a stronger government commitment and a more rigorous and supportive anti-poaching training programme for park rangers.
The pilot is said to have successfully brought the helicopter down inside the reserve despite the gunshot wounds he suffered only to pass away before rescuers found their way to the scene.
Pictures that circulated online showed the badly-damaged remains of the aircraft lying on its side, including a blood-stained bullet hole in the pilot's seat.
ENDS
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