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Daniel Kachere Court Correspondent
Three people have appeared before a Harare magistrate charged with unlawful possession of a pangolin. Vivian Fani (51), Garikai Dzenye (36) and Lodin Kupara (34) were granted $100 bail each on Monday and remanded to October 8 for trial by magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo.

The three were arrested on September 8 after detectives from the Minerals and Border Control Unit got a report that they were in possession of the protected animal near Lafarge Cement Company in Mabvuku.

The detectives managed to locate their vehicle, a blue Pajero Mini, registration number ADU5865, parked near the cement company.

They approached the vehicle and identified themselves, leading to Dzenye attempting to flee from the scene before two warning shots were fired to stop him.

A search was carried out on the vehicle and a live pangolin was recovered in a white sack which was placed in a wooden crate in the boot.

The trio was asked to produce documents authorising them to possess the pangolin, but failed.

The pangolin was handed over to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority where it was valued at $5 000.

Meanwhile, two men appeared before the same magistrate accused of unlawfully possessing elephant tusks.

Edmore Mikazhu (28) and Collen Mwale (28) were remanded in custody for trial on October 8.

The State alleged that on September 22, detectives from CID received information that Mikazhu was in possession of pieces of ivory he was offering for sale.

Acting on the tip-off, they proceeded to the tollgate along Simon Mazorodze Road in Southlea Park where they located him.

After interviewing him, he led them to Mwale’s residence at No. 2716 Ushewokunze, Waterfalls, where a search was conducted in the presence of his wife, Leline Matsa.

During the search, the detectives recovered a black satchel containing two elephant tusks stashed inside his wardrobe.

Matsa told them that the satchel belonged to Mwale and that he could be located at Morris Depot where he worked.

The detectives proceeded to Morris Depot where they arrested Mwale after he failed to furnish them with a permit authorising him to possess the tusks.

After his arrest, the tusks were taken to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority where they were weighed and valued at $512.