Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
TWO Mozambican nationals and a 78-year-old man from Mberengwa District in the Midlands Province have each been fined US$300 after being caught in possession of nine ostrich eggs valued at US$9 000.
The trio — Fadzai Muyambo (43), Onai Oliase (36), and Esrom Mudzingwa (78) — were convicted by Victoria Falls magistrate, Ms Linda Dzvene, on their own pleas of guilty to contravening Section 59 of the Parks and Wildlife Act (Chapter 20:14), which prohibits the removal or possession of any part of a protected animal without a valid permit.
They were each fined US$300 or, in default, face three months’ imprisonment. An additional three-month sentence was wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. In passing sentence, the magistrate emphasised the need for deterrent penalties, warning that such offences threaten Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage and fuel illegal cross-border trade.
Prosecuting, Ms Daphne Ntini told the court that on October 5, the accused unlawfully removed nine ostrich eggs from a bushy area in Checheche, Chipinge, and transported them to Victoria Falls, where they intended to sell them without the required permits.
“On 6 October, rangers from the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority were alerted following information that individuals were attempting to sell ostrich eggs in Victoria Falls,” said Ms Ntini.
A ZimParks surveillance team swiftly launched an operation and intercepted the suspects at Chinotimba Bus Rank at around 7:15 AM. Upon searching their luggage, officers discovered the nine eggs, which the trio failed to account for or produce documentation for.
Investigations confirmed that the eggs had been harvested in Checheche and transported across several provinces, likely destined for resale to unsuspecting tourists or international buyers.
The recovered eggs, weighing 11.95 kilogrammes, were taken to Zimpost in Victoria Falls for verification. They were valued at US$9 000, and both the eggs and a certificate of weight were tendered as exhibits in court.
