admincaught while trying to deliver the protected animal to President Mugabe at State House.
Stephen Chizema (37) said this when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Archie Wochiuga together with his alleged accomplice Prince Muusha (30).
They are being charged with contravening sections of the Parks and Wildlife Act for unlawful possession of a specially protected animal and “unnecessarily tying up or confining an animal”. Chizema said he was following the Shona culture, which entails that if one finds a pangolin he gives it to the king. He pleaded guilty to possessing the animal but denied that he wanted to sell it while the State submitted that the duo wanted to sell the animal for US$7 000.
The two denied knowing each other but only met when Muusha offered Chizema a lift. He said he was not aware that the latter was carrying a pangolin.
The two who are out of custody on US$100 bail each will be back in court for judgment on September 14. Prosecutor Mr Innocent Chingarande alleges that on July 1 this year, the two were along Robert
Mugabe Road in the city driving towards Eastlea.
The court heard that the two were allegedly looking for a buyer for the pangolin.
Police officers from the Minerals Unit were tipped that the two were in possession of a pangolin.
It is alleged that the police officers teamed up and tracked the two.
The two allegedly told the police officers that they had picked the 15,4kg animal in the bush.
Police arrested the two after they failed to produce a licence and a permit, which authorised them to be in possession of the animal.
The State says the animal is valued at US$500.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter