admin(36) and Emmerson Jamukoko (39) pleaded guilty to contravening Section 45(1) as read with section 128 of the Parks and Wildlife Act Chapter 20:14 when they appeared before regional magistrate Mr Walter Chikwanha. The Act criminalises hunting of specially protected animals and products. Mr Chikwanha sentenced them to eight years imprisonment of which two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Their alleged accomplices Prince Chatiza (27) and Regalia Mangoli (27) will undergo a separate trial after pleading not guilty.
On September 21 this year, detectives from minerals unit were tipped that the four who were driving a Toyota Estima belonging to Mangoli were in possession of two rhino horns and were looking for a buyer. The detectives made a follow up and intercepted the four who were parked along Lanark Avenue in Milton Park, Harare.
The detectives stopped the vehicle, which was being driven by Chatiza. They searched the vehicle and recovered two rhino horns hidden inside a black and red handbag, which was on the floor of the car. Further searches led to the recovery of a Western Union receipt with the names Pellagia Margolis which was recovered in the hand bag’s inner pocket.
The four were subsequently arrested. On being questioned Mukombi and Jamukoko said they bought the horns from one Domingo Simango who is still at large and they were being assisted by Chatiza and Mangoli to look for a buyer. The horns were taken to the Parks and Wildlife Management for authentication and valuing and an affidavit compiled stated that the horns were valued at US$120 000.
Mr Editor Mavuto prosecuted.
Bongani Ndlovu