Live pangolins land Hwange man in jail

A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Hwange who was found in possession of two live pangolins valued at US$10 000, was yesterday sentenced to the mandatory nine years in jail.

Nqobile Luphahla from Makwandara Village, claimed to have picked the pangolins in the Makwandara forest before travelling to Bulawayo in November last year with the intent to sell them.

Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Sibonginkosi Mnkandla convicted Luphahla of hunting an endangered species in violation of the Parks and Wildlife Act. The prosecutor Ms Nomthandazo Mafu told the court that Luphahla was apprehended on November 19 last year, at around 10 am by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The detectives were conducting “Operation Thunder,” targeting illegal wildlife trafficking and related crimes.

The operation involved stop-and-search procedures along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road. Luphahla was spotted walking towards Bulawayo near the Umguza toll gate, carrying two satchels.

“The detectives became suspicious and approached Luphahla. They identified themselves and requested to search his bag.

During the search, two live pangolins were recovered, concealed in the satchels he was carrying,” said Ms Mafu.

Luphahla failed to produce a licence or permit authorising him to possess the pangolins and was subsequently arrested.

Further investigations revealed that Luphahla had removed the pangolins from their natural habitat in the Makwandara forest and brought them to Bulawayo to sell.

The pangolins were examined by a Zimparks ecologist in Luphahla’s presence, confirming them to be live pangolins — a specially protected species under the Parks and Wildlife Act.

In mitigation, Luphahla pleaded for leniency, telling the court that he was unaware that removing the animals from their habitat was an offence.

“My prayer would be for the courts to pass a lenient sentence. I’m youthful, and going to jail for a long time would ruin me,” he said.

However, Ms Mafu argued that the accused’s submissions did not constitute special circumstances. She insisted that the mandatory sentence for the offence should be imposed.