adminAdelaide Moyo Chronicle Reporter
A Bulawayo police officer, who allegedly force-marched a man he found praying in a bush to track down two elephants which he later shot and killed, has been granted bail with stringent conditions.
Edmore Bhibhi, 37, stationed at Fairbridge Support Unit on the outskirts of Bulawayo, armed himself with a firearm and allegedly teamed up with three accomplices to track down two jumbos which they later shot dead.
They first abducted an apostolic sect member, Paul Panganai, whom they found praying in a bushy area and kept him hostage for two days.
The four allegedly wanted Panganai to help them identify areas with animals for poaching.
After killing the two jumbos, they removed the tusks, the court heard.
The whereabouts of Bhibhi’s accomplices are still unknown after they evaded arrest.
The police officer, whose rank was not given, appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate, Sharon Rosemani, facing one count of kidnapping and two counts of illegal hunting.
Bhibhi was represented by lawyer, Thulani Nkala of Dube and Company Legal Practitioners. Nkala argued that his client was a good candidate for bail.
The State, however, opposed bail saying Bhibhi was likely to abscond since his accomplices are still at large.
It also opposed the release of Bhibhi before the rifle used in the poaching was recovered.
Rosemani however granted Bhibhi $400 bail and remanded him to August 8 for trial.
Bhibhi was ordered to report twice a week at Bulawayo Central Police Station and not to travel out of Matabeleland North Province.
He was also ordered to surrender some surety in the form of title deeds or a car and not to interfere with witnesses.
Bhibhi is also to continue residing at his given address.
Prosecuting, Takunda Ndovorwi told the court that Panganai was praying in a bush near Zambezi Gorge last week when the four men pounced on him.
“On July 15 at Zambezi River Forest, Bhibhi who was in the company of three men who are still at large, met Panganai who was praying near Zambezi Gorge. The accused who were carrying two AK47 rifles then abducted Panganai and force-marched him into the thicker part of the forest demanding that he should show them where elephants could be found,” said Ndovorwi.
The court was told the four managed to track down two jumbos which they shot dead.
Ndovorwi said after shooting the jumbos, the four allegedly took the tusks and went away. They later dumped Panganai in the middle of the jungle.
Panganai later reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of Bhibhi.
Online Reporter