Perth man's 'friend' on kill charge
A former employee of a Perth conservationist has been charged with his murder in Zimbabwe.
Painted Dog Corporation founder Greg Gibbard was last week found dead outside his Zimbabwean residence. He was aged 62.
Zimbabwean man Xmas Mpofu, 36, was charged with Mr Gibbard's murder on Wednesday.
Mr Mpofu worked at the African painted dog shelter in Zimbabwe for more than 10 years, until he lost his job last year.
He and former PDC chairman Mr Gibbard were believed to be close friends as well as co-workers.
Current PDC chairman John Lemon, who also worked with Mr Mpofu, spoke of his shock and heartache yesterday. "It is very difficult because I was very close to the suspect," the Perth Zoo curator said. "I feel cold and sick, and I hope we finalise findings shortly."
Mr Lemon said he was in contact with Zimbabwean police daily, as well as Mr Gibbard's family.
"I worked with Greg for 15 years. I am devastated," he said.
Arrangements are being made for Mr Gibbard's body to be cremated in Africa and some of his ashes returned to Australia.
The conservationist who left his Balga home for Zimbabwe five years ago dedicated much of his life to conserving endangered wildlife.
He was the founding chairman of PDC, a non-profit group set up in 2003.
Mr Gibbard had worked as an accountant for the Federal government, Silver Chain and Edith Cowan University in Perth after serving as a sapper in the army reserves.
