adminThe Herald, 3 May, 1988
SAMSON Khumalo (41) of Inyati communal lands was recently sentenced to three months’ jail for killing a pangolin, which is an endangered species protected under the Parks and Wildlife Act.
Khumalo who pleaded guilty to contravening a section of the Parks and Wildlife Act, before magistrate, Mr Tinaye Maunganidze at Inyati magistrates court said he had wanted to eat the animal.
Khumalo who had been poaching at Gourlays Ranch was found with the dead pangolin by members of the People’s Militia.
Sentencing Khumalo, the magistrate said the pangolin was a protected species. In the past other people who had found the animal had taken it to the President.
Mr Maunganidze said the sentence, should serve as a deterrent to others who wanted to kill pangolins.
Mr Philip Kawara appeared for the State.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Zimbabwe’s pangolins are protected under the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Act, which prohibits the illegal owning or selling of a pangolin. Contravening this law can attract a lengthy custodial sentence.
Within the context of traditional African societies, animals often hold symbolic meanings that reflect deeper cultural values and beliefs. Pangolins have been revered for centuries in various African communities, including Zimbabwe, where they are associated with protection, wisdom, and spiritual connections. By gifting a pangolin to a chief, individuals express their admiration for the chief’s wisdom and seek blessings for the community.
Pangolins are believed to bring good luck and prosperity in many African cultures, including Zimbabwe. Therefore, presenting a pangolin to a chief is seen as a gesture of wishing them well-being, success, and positive outcomes in their leadership responsibilities. The animal’s rarity and mystical qualities further enhance its symbolism as a harbinger of good fortune.
Online Reporter