The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
A Mutare man will spend the next nine years in jail after he was found in possession of a dead pangolin which he intended to sell.
Tichaona Dumbura (34) of Chikanga Phase One appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Annie Ndiraya for contravening Section 45 (1) (b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14 as read with 128 (1) (b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14.
Dumbura argued that someone had left the protected animal valued at US$5 000 in his car before disappearing from the scene.
Detectives in Mutare nabbed the unsuspecting Dumbura in a movie style after he force-opened the door of their stationary vehicle and bolted into a nearby bush.
He was nabbed while hiding under a shrub by the roadside.
Mr Nyasha Mukonyora prosecuted.
The court heard that on August 27, 2023 and along Vumba Road near Central Mechanical Engineering Department (CMED) Depot in Mutare, Dumbura who was looking for a pangolin buyer was arrested by detectives from CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit and ZimParks officials after information was received by a ZimParks official, Mr Jeremiah Mhlanga, that he was in possession of the protected animal.
“Dumbura was communicating with Mr Mhlanga who had posed as a buyer over the phone. Dumbura told Mr Mhlanga that he wanted to meet him at a secluded area to avoid detection. He also set a condition that he only wanted a single person to make the payment,” said Mr Mukonyora.
A trap was set and Detective Sergeant Clever Gadzikwa agreed to Dumbura’s set condition.
“Dumbura went to the agreed place with the pangolin that was stashed in a plastic bag and placed in a 20-litre bucket. He took the pangolin and placed it the detectives’ motor vehicle.
“Dumbura sat on the front passenger seat and directed Detective Sergeant Clever Gadzikwa to drive towards Vumba,” said Mr Mukonyora.
He added: “When the Detective Sergeant Gadzikwa introduced himself to Dumbura, he forced open the door of the stationary vehicle and bolted out. He took to his heels into the nearby bush. Four warning shots were fired, but Dumbura did not take heed.”
Detectives, together with ZimParks officials, Mr Mhlanga and Mr Golden Marevesa gave chase and arrested Dumbura as he was hiding under a shrub in the bush.
Dumbura and the recovered pangolin were taken to Mutare CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit for further management.
ZimParks officials examined the pangolin and discovered that it was already dead.
The pangolin weighed 9.70kg.
