Rhino Poaching: Setbacks

[iNdlovu]

Welcome Nyoni. Why can't you send PM's, you certainly should be able to and is something we need to fix. What happens when you try.

[Richprins]

I know the people in Nelspruit where his parents are staying. An attempt to murder has been lodged against the guy who did the shooting. After this young man was shot, the culprit fled the scene and Desmedt was left to his own devices. Thank God he had the strength to phone for an helicopter or else he would have died. His condition might be stable but his injuries are enormous. I can't send pm's or I would have contacted you Richprins - you are in Nelspruit right?

Welcome, again, Nyoni!

I am in Nelspruit, and the injuries to Andrew are indeed grievious!

Police normally file "culpable homicide" regarding this sort of thing, standard procedure!

[iNdlovu]

Nyoni, obviously on a public forum like this, we need to be very sure of the facts before posting. Do you have the source of the info that the person fled the scene or did he go for help?

[Nyoni]

De Smedt is a Belgian surname and there are a few Belgian families in Nelspruit whom I know. Andrew's parents will be back in Nelspruit tomorrow and I have asked they give me a call. The news of him being left behind with his injuries are from his parents and the other families who have known him since babyhood. Andrew woke up yesterday - that is all I know at the moment. Message says I am too new in the Forum to send pms

[Flutterby]

Nyoni, have you tried to send a PM recently...you should definitely be able to now.

[Richprins]

Confirmed the whole thing was accidental, and yes a soldier shot Desmet. The suspect has been charged and may have fled the scene, but is not AWOL. Further details will be forthcoming in the press.

Andrew's condition is as per the last report.

[Flutterby]

Posted on FB last night:

Linda Gail Desmet:
Hello everyone, just to let you know that Andrew was eating jelly tonight!!

[Toko]

Veldwagter wat gewond is, kom by

Donderdag 20 Junie 2013

Andrew Desmet, die streekveldwagter van die Krugerwildtuin wat onlangs in ’n operasie teen renosterstropery deur ’n soldaat gewond is, het bygekom.
Desmet is op 26 Mei gewond en is tot nog toe onder verdowing gehou in die waakeenheid van Mediclinic Nelspruit.
Hy is geskiet toe veldwagters en soldate ’n hinderlaag vir stropers by die Letabarivier opgestel het.
’n Skoot uit die geweer van ’n luitenant in die weermag het Desmet in die maag getref.
Hy het sedertdien ’n noodoperasie ondergaan. Opvolgoperasies is nou reeds twee keer uitgestel, vermoedelik omdat die dokters bekommerd is oor infeksies.
Sedert verlede week is hy geleidelik van die ventilator waaraan hy gekoppel was, gespeen.
Sedert Vrydag haal hy op sy eie asem. Hy het glo Maandag self bygekom.
Robyn Baard, woordvoerder van die hospitaal, het gesê Desmet “herstel baie goed en ons verwag dat hy oor ’n week na ’n algemene saal oorgeplaas sal kan word”.
Intussen is die polisieondersoek van poging tot moord steeds nie afgehandel nie. – Buks Viljoen

[Richprins]

I'll translate fully if it doesn't come up elsewhere...basically he is improving, off the ventilator, etc.

And the "attempted murder" investigation continues....

[Nyoni]

Amazing recovery - thank you for answered prayers