Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
THREE people appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai last Friday after being allegedly caught in possession of a live pangolin, which they intended to sell in contravention of the Parks and Wildlife Act.
Siphilisiwe Meya (38), Lovemore Chitahwa (35) and Tapiwa Katingireni (28) were remanded in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for today.
Pangolins are highly protected under Zimbabwean law due to their endangered status.
The possession, transportation, or sale of pangolins without proper authorisation is a serious offence under the Parks and Wildlife Act.
Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu told the court that on October 8 at around 7 am, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department’s Minerals, Flora, and Fauna Unit (CID MFFU) in Harare received a tip-off about the accused having a live pangolin in Borrowdale, Harare.
Katingireni initially provided his contact details to a purported buyer, who was working with the detectives.
After some communication, Katingireni became occupied and handed over the buyer’s contact information to Meya.
The purported buyer arranged to meet the accused at Sam Levy Village in Borrowdale, Harare.
Detectives, operating in two vehicles, conducted a surveillance operation at the agreed location.
The buyer arrived at Sam Levy Village and parked his car. He then contacted Meya, who arrived to negotiate the deal.
After a discussion in the buyer’s vehicle, the two parties agreed on a price of US$5 000 for the pangolin.
Meya then phoned her accomplices, instructing them to deliver the pangolin to the buyer’s vehicle.
The pangolin, wrapped in a white sack and concealed in a maroon satchel, was brought to the scene.
Once the exchange began, the buyer signalled the surveillance team, who immediately moved in to arrest all three accused.
A Parks and Wildlife official later examined the animal at CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit and confirmed that it was a live pangolin weighing 10,3 kilogrammes, valued at approximately US$5 000.
