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George Chingandu, age not given but residing at Ben Chingandu Village under Chief Sekute, Kazungula in Zambia, has been admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital under police guard since his arrest a fortnight ago.
He is being charged with contravening Section 24(1)(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14 “hunting an elephant without a permit”.
Chingandu was not asked to plead when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Shepherd Mjanja at a makeshift courtroom beside his hospital bed on Wednesday.
He was remanded under guard and will next appear in court on 25 June.
Chingandu is suspected to be part of a gang of poachers who have caused havoc in the Zambezi Valley where the country has lost elephants, rhino and other wild animals.
For the State, Mr Malvern Nzombe said Chingandu was in the company of other alleged accomplices, who are still at large, when they allegedly hunted and killed 11 elephants and removed tusks.
The accused and his alleged accomplices were spotted by game rangers and a shootout ensued resulting in Chingandu being shot in the arm and left thigh.
He was arrested on the spot while the other accomplices fled.
Twenty-two tusks were recovered at the scene.
The total value of the elephants was $1,1 million and property valued at $53 750 was recovered.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo