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Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
Five people were arrested for attempting to sell a live pangolin for a promised sum of one million US dollars.
The five are Samson Kandiko (52) of Hatirarame Village in Rusape, Abigail Zuze (41) of Tsungubvi in Glendale, Timothy Kawemba (34) of Kaseke Village in Seke, Chido Sora (28) of Kariwo Village in Nyamaropa and Netsai Machucha (39) of Kaseke Village, Seke.
The accused appeared before provincial magistrate Mr Tinashe Ndokera.
They were facing charges of violating the Parks and Wildlife Act, which prohibit the possession or sale of live pangolins.
They were remanded in custody to December 30 for trial.
The prosecutor, Mr Carson Kundiona informed the court that on December 12 at around 5pm, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Bindura received information indicating that the accused were in possession of a live pangolin.
Acting on this tip-off, the detectives offered one million dollars and arranged to meet the suspects near “Ten Missed Calls” along the Bindura-Mount Darwin Road.
At the meeting point, Kandiko went into a nearby bush and emerged with the pangolin which was in a satchel.
The detectives immediately arrested the suspects and requested the necessary permits or licenses authorising the suspects to possess the pangolin.
The suspects were unable to produce the required documents.
The pangolin weighed 8.75 kg and is valued at US$5000.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter