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Gibson Mhaka
GREED can be a blinding force. Four men from Plumtree learned this lesson the hard way.
Their attempt to sell a pangolin took a dramatic turn when they stumbled into a cleverly laid trap. Posing as desperate sangomas (traditional healers), in need of the pangolin for a ritual, undercover officers swooped in and apprehended the men as they attempted to sell the endangered animal.
According to reports, detectives from the Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit were following up on information about the suspects who were allegedly seeking a buyer for the protected animal. The going price for the pangolin was US$ 5,000.
The suspects Steven Tshuma (52), Tshedukani Mkwebu (31) both from Plumtree, Mlandeli Matutu (43) employed by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement and deployed at Zinwa Ngwizi and Jabulani Mhlanga (48) from Northend in Bulawayo were nabbed for possessing an endangered species.
They have since appeared before Plumtree magistrate Shumirai Mutimodhlo, charged with contravening Section 45(1) (b) as read with Section 128(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act Chapter 20:14 (as amended in Section 11 of the General Laws Amendment Act 5 of 2011) for unlawful possession of a specially protected animal.
The quartet pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody to 2 July for continuation of trial. The court heard that on 13 June, at around 8 am, detectives from the CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit were on patrol when they received a tip-off regarding four individuals in possession of a pangolin.
It is reported that on the same day, at around 1 pm, the police detectives proceeded to Linda Shopping Centre along Mphoengs Road, Plumtree, where they met the accused persons.
Posing as sangomas, the detectives agreed with the four accused that they were in need of the pangolin and would want to perform a ritual at a private location. Matutu then drove to a bushy area, with the detectives following behind.
Upon arrival, all the accused disembarked from the vehicle and stood behind while Mhlanga retrieved a pangolin tied in a white sack from the car’s boot and presented it to the detectives.
The detectives immediately identified themselves and arrested the accused persons. The pangolin was examined by an ecologist, confirmed to be a pangolin, and handed over to Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) for rehabilitation.
Online Reporter