The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Weekender Correspondent
TWO Nyanga villagers who were caught with two live pangolins were each sentenced to nine years imprisonment.Joyce Nyaguze (36) and Everisto Kamone (35) were convicted on their own guilty pleas when they appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura last Thursday.
They admitted to having been found in possession of the pangolins with the intention of selling them.
However, Kenneth Matariyana (25), Hamphrey Nyaguze (25) and Vitos Nyaguze (27) who all denied the charge were remanded to October 13 for trial.
All three were denied bail.
Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted.
Allegations were that on September 27, police officers from the Minerals and Border Control Unit received information to the effect that there were people who were in possession of three live pangolins in Nyamaropa area of Nyanga.
Detectives who teamed up with members of the National Parks and Wildlife Department reacted to the information and communicated with Nyaguze who confirmed that there were people with live pangolins and that she was part of the syndicate.
“When the team arrived, Nyaguze failed to connect the officers and her syndicate. However, on their way back to Mutare, Nyaguze called them confirming that the pangolins were now available,” said Mr Karombe.
The police officers then tricked her to bring the specially protected animals to Mutare with the owners.
Nyaguze led Kamone, Mataranyika and Hamphrey Nyaguze to Mutare’s Mount View Hotel where they were all arrested.
Mataranyika, Hamphrey and Vitos Nyaguze denied that they were found in possession of the pangolins and were remanded in custody pending trial.
They were, however, advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
They are being charged with contravening section 45(1)(a)(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14.
