Poacher nabbed making biltong at crime scene

Clement Mukwasi
AN attempt by a poacher to make biltong at the crime scene deep in Matetsi Game Reserve at the Victoria Falls National Park sold him out last week after a ranger laid an ambush and arrested him for killing five antelopes using wire snares. Appearing before Ms Sharon Rosemani, Smart Ncube (44) from Chikandakubi area under Chief Shana in Jambezi, was charged for contravening Section 5 of the Trapping of Animals Control Act, Chapter 20:21.
The accused who was convicted on his own plea of guilty, was remanded in custody to tomorrow.

Presenting the State’s case, the prosecutor, Mr David Tivakudze told the court that the accused set 39 wire snares and killed two female kudus, two female impalas and one male impala all valued at $8 000.

On 3 September, the accused established a camp and hung 50kg of meat to dry it in the sun, in a bid to make biltong.
An alert game scout, Mr Kwenjani Ncube who was on routine patrol, discovered the meat straps hung all over on tree branches and he laid an ambush. After a few minutes, the accused came to check on the meat and he was arrested.

Animal hooves and 39 wire snares were recovered at the site.
The court case was postponed to 8 September after the prosecutor indicated that he wanted to present the accused’s previous record of conviction.

Meanwhile, the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has increased its patrols in all game parks in the wake of various methods that poachers are using to kill animals, chief among them being the use of rifles and cyanide.