Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
TWO Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) rangers stationed at Sinamatela in Hwange District, have been sentenced to 18 months in prison after they were convicted of illegally hunting wildlife in a national park, a crime they committed while entrusted with protecting the same environment.
Never Mathe (50) and Tasara Chuma (44), both employed as game rangers at Sinamatela National Park, were convicted after a full trial before Hwange provincial magistrate, Mrs Rumbidzai Kabasa-Bonzo.
They had pleaded not guilty to contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act, specifically the charge of hunting wildlife in a national park without a permit.
The court sentenced the two men to 24 months in prison, with six months suspended on condition of good behaviour. They will serve an effective 18-month jail term.
Additionally, the court ordered them to pay US$3 000 in compensation to the ZimParks as the estimated value of the illegally hunted game.
Miss Matsiliso Zandile Tlou appeared for the State.
According to the prosecution, the offence came to light on January 20 when the State received a tip-off that illegally hunted impala meat was being stored in a refrigerator at Bumbusi Camp, located within Sinamatela National Park.
A team, including a representative from ZimParks and a Detective Nkala from the Criminal Investigations Department’s Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (CID MFFU), visited the camp the following day.
Upon arrival, the team interviewed assistant camp manager, Talent Muzamba, who confirmed the presence of game meat at the facility.
He further admitted to purchasing some of the meat from Mathe and Chuma and revealed that more was stored at his residence in Makwika Village, Hwange.
The team then confronted the two accused at their base in Bumbusi Camp, where they were preparing for patrol duties. The meat found in their possession was seized, and the group proceeded to Muzamba’s residence, where additional meat was recovered from a refrigerator.
When asked to produce hunting permits or licenses, both accused failed to do so leading to their arrest. A total of 72,5 kilograms of impala meat was recovered and later confirmed through expert analysis as wildlife illegally hunted inside the national park.
The court heard that the total value of the game hunted was US$3 000, and despite the recovery of meat, nothing of value was recovered in terms of compensation for the loss of wildlife.
In sentencing, the magistrate condemned the abuse of trust by the two officers, who, instead of safeguarding protected wildlife, exploited their positions for personal gain.
The conviction sends a strong message against poaching and corruption within conservation institutions.
