State withdraws charges against Masvingo businessman

Zvikomborero Parafini

THE State has withdrawn charges against a Masvingo businessman and his employer, who were accused of being in illegal possession of 52 crocodile skins.

The State, represented by Thomas Chanakira, applied to withdraw charges against Dunken Wadley (59) and Vimbai Dzingirai, before plea on the basis they were erroneously arrested. Their licence had been paid for and was being processed at the time of their arrest.

Allegations were that Wadley gave Dzingirai 52 crocodile skins to sell and she kept the items in Mabelreign.

On March 27, detectives from CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna, received information that Dzingirai was in possession of the skins, without a valid permit.

Police went to her home where they searched the house and discovered the skins stashed in white sacks.

Dzingirai was asked to produce a permit, authorising her to be in possession of the skins, and she implicated Wadley, her boss, as the owner of the skins.

She said he was the one in possession of the permit.

The detectives took the skins to CID Minerals pending the availing of the said permit.

Wadley failed to produce a valid permit, leading to his arrest in Masvingo, but the issue has since been resolved.

The two are small-scale crocodile breeders.