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Danisa Masuku
THREE elderly women and two men who were reportedly caught with a live pangolin heading to a traditional healer’s home in Emakhandeni suburb, Bulawayo to assist them in doing rituals to accumulate money appeared in court on Tuesday.
Dumezweni Mlotshwa (30), Nassem Shanu (33), Richard Ncube (61), Eunice Moyo (63) and Khalelani Lunga (64) appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.
They were facing a charge of contravening Section 45(1) (a) as read with Section 128(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act Chapter 20:14 as read with Section 2 of the statutory instrument 71 of 2020(Hunt any Specially Protected Animal — Live Pangolin).
They pleaded not guilty and were represented by their lawyer Constance Matha. They were granted bail and each paid US$100 and will be back in court on 18 November.
The court heard that on 23 October, detectives from the Flora and Fauna Section stationed in Bulawayo received a tip-off that they were in possession of a live pangolin.
The detectives caught up with them a few metres from the healer’s home. When they were asked why they were in possession of the pangolin they disclosed that they were heading to a traditional healer’s home so that he could kill the pangolin and make rituals for them to become lucky and accumulate quick money.
They were asked to produce a licence or permit allowing them to own a live pangolin but they failed, leading to their arrest.
Online Reporter