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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Two Marondera men have been sentenced to nine years each in prison for illegal possessing a pangolin.
Tapiwa Machaya (43) from Bikita and Rodrick Murambisi (32) were brought before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court for contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act after they were found in possession of a pangolin without the necessary paperwork.
On July 16, 2024, CID Mutare received information to the effect that the duo were in possession of a pangolin and were looking for a buyer.
The detectives contacted Murambisi on his mobile number pretending to be pangolin buyers.
They lured the duo to Manica Skyview hotel.
The detectives noticed Murambisi disembarking from a Toyota Aqua heading towards where they were and they invited him to get into their vehicle where he told them he needed US$6 000 for the pangolin.
Machaya was waiting at a distance with a brown satchel.
Upon agreeing on the price, the detectives introduced themselves to the duo and conducted a search where they recovered a pangolin in a brown sack stashed in the satchel which was being held by Machaya.
The duo were asked to produce a permit which authorised them to possess the pangolin and they failed to do so resulting in their arrest.
The pangolin weighing 4.2kg and valued at US$5 000 was recovered.
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