Duo jailed 9 year each for unlawful possession of a pangolin

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

Two Marondera men have been sentenced to nine years each in prison for illegal possessing a pangolin.
Tapiwa Machaya (43) from Bikita and Rodrick Murambisi (32) were brought before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court for contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act after they were found in possession of a pangolin without the necessary paperwork.

On July 16, 2024, CID Mutare received information to the effect that the duo were in possession of a pangolin and were looking for a buyer.

The detectives contacted Murambisi on his mobile number pretending to be pangolin buyers.

They lured the duo to Manica Skyview hotel.

The detectives noticed Murambisi disembarking from a Toyota Aqua heading towards where they were and they invited him to get into their vehicle where he told them he needed US$6 000 for the pangolin.

Machaya was waiting at a distance with a brown satchel.

Upon agreeing on the price, the detectives introduced themselves to the duo and conducted a search where they recovered a pangolin in a brown sack stashed in the satchel which was being held by Machaya.

The duo were asked to produce a permit which authorised them to possess the pangolin and they failed to do so resulting in their arrest.

The pangolin weighing 4.2kg and valued at US$5 000 was recovered.

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