Andrew
THREE men who were allegedly found in possession of a pangolin worth US$5 000 appeared before a Harare magistrate on Friday facing charges of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act (Chapter 20:14).
Munashe Maposa (23), Oswell Chingwara (21) and Vincent Sigauke (23) of Chipinge were denied bail and remanded to February 18 for bail application.
Prosecutor Ms Ruvimbo Matyatya said on February 3, at around 6am, detectives from the CID Minerals Flaura and Fauna Unit received information that a male adult was selling a live pangolin along George Silundika Street in Harare.
The detectives reacted to the tip-off by calling the accused on his cellphone purporting to be prospective buyers.
The parties agreed to meet at corner of George Silundika and First Street.
Maposa and Chingwara produced the pangolin after agreeing to sell it for US$6 000.
“The accused persons were asked to produce a permit or licence that authorised them to possess the trophy and they had none, which led to their subsequent arrest,” said the prosecutor.
Magistrate Mrs Yeukai Dzuda presided.
Online Reporter