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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
Two Harare men were yesterday sentenced to nine years each in prison for possessing a pangolin carcass.
Gilbert Nyamuziwa Karanda (33) and Oliver Kakumura (40) pleaded not guilty to violating sections of the Parks and Wildlife Act.
However, they were convicted due to overwhelming evidence against them.
Mr Tendai Mahwe evoked the nine-year mandatory sentence after ruling that there were no special circumstances.
Their accomplice, Linet Maruve, is on the run.
The prosecutor Mr Lovemore Siamunda told the court that on January 17 this year detectives were informed that Maruve had a pangolin carcass.
Detectives pretended to be buyers and went to Maruve’s house in Glen Norah in Kakumura’s company.
Upon arrival at Maruve’s house, they were joined by Karanda who then brought the pangolin carcass in a bucket.
Detectives tipped off police officers who were nearby and managed to arrest Kakumura and Karanda.
Maruve fled the scene.
The pangolin was valued at $5 000.
Online Reporter