adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Three men have appeared before a Beitbridge magistrate’s court on charges of poaching rhinoceroses in Bubye Valley Conservancy. The sanctuary is located 60 kilometres along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo Road.
Celestine Shate (34) and Faso Moyo (46) of Bulawayo were caught by rangers on August 28 while trekking a rhino in the conservancy.
Their accomplice Godfrey Makechemu (48) of Gokwe was arrested in his home area on September 1 after he escaped from Bubye Valley while armed with a .375 rifle.
The trio is facing charges of contravening a section of the Parks and Wildlife Act (Chapter 201:14) — unlawful hunting of a specially protected animal (rhino).
Shate and Moyo appeared separately before Mr Trevor Nyatsanza recently who remanded them in custody to September 18 for trial.
Makechemu appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Mr Langton Mukwengi last week and was remanded in custody to jointly stand trial on the same day with his accomplices.
Makechemu was recently released from prison after serving seven months while on bail pending appeal.
Online Reporter