The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
A 30-YEAR-OLD Dangamvura man will spend the next nine years in jail after he was found in possession of two live pangolins.
Cuthbert Makotore (30) was found guilty of contravening Section 45 as read with Section 128 of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14 as read with Section 2 of the Statutory Instrument 71 of 2020 for keeping or being in possession or selling any live specially-protected animal.
Makotore’s colleague, Kelvin Nyamapfeni (39) also of Dangamvura who was represented by Mutare lawyer, Mr Farai Matinhure of Gonese and Ndlovu Associates was acquitted.
They appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, while Mr Brian Goto prosecuted.
On September 10, detectives from the Mutare Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit received a tip-off that Makotore and Nyamapfeni were in possession of two pangolins.
“A team of detectives was set up and two motor vehicles were mobilised. Detectives Livison Chada and a Mashange disguised as buyers and used a Toyota Mark X to drive to Dangamvura. Detectives Hove and Kurauone used a Toyota Bubble and followed from a distance. The detectives drove to Area 7 in Dangamvura and when they arrived, Makotore approached Chada’s vehicle and told him that he was the owner of the pangolins which he was selling for US$10 000 each,” said Mr Goto.
The detectives requested to view the pangolins first before they could part with their money and Makotore briefly went away and promised to meet the detectives at Dangamvura Greenmarket with the two pangolins.
Makotore and Nyamapfeni arrived at Dangamvura Greenmarket in a Mazda B2200 vehicle which was being driven by Nyamapfeni a little later.
Makotore who was seated on the passenger seat disembarked.
Dect Chada disembarked from the motor vehicle and identifying himself. The duo took to their heels in different directions, but they were arrested. Nyamapfeni’s vehicle was searched and the two pangolins were recovered from the front of the motor vehicle.
One was in a floral bag on the passenger seat and the other was on the floor of the passenger side of the motor vehicle.
The two live pangolins were recovered as exhibits and weighed 9kg each.
