The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent —
A CHIPINGE poacher allegedly slaughtered a baboon and sold the meat to unsuspecting villagers in Middle Sabi.
Innocent Manyezu (22) of Rating Section 5, Middle Sabi, appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Vusomusi Gapara last Thursday facing charges of contravening Section 71(1)(a) of the Parks and Wild Life Act, Chapter 20.14 (Sale of meat of an animal unlawfully hunted).
Manyezu pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned to Friday (today) for trial.
In denying the offence, Manyezu, said he found the baboon dead by the roadside after it had been hit by a motor vehicle.
“Your Worship, I did not kill the baboon, but I found it dead on the roadside after it was hit by a motor vehicle. I took it home and skinned it,” said Manyezu.
Prosecuting, Regis Mawarire said on December 29 at about 5pm, Mr Shadreck Rufuse, a senior ranger stationed at Middle Sabi received a tip-off to the effect that Manyezu and his friend, one Sigauke were selling game meat at Rating 5, Middle Sabi.
“Acting upon the received information, the complainant made a report to the police where he teamed up with Constable Mudzamba and two game rangers, Edward Ndagumirwa and Tsanangurai Bishau and proceeded to the scene.
“Upon arrival, the team picked up information that a villager, Nigel Dzikiti had bought some meat from Manyezu.
“They approached Dzikiti’s homestead and managed to recover 0,5kg of game meat. Dzikiti confirmed that he had bought the meat from the accused persons,” he said.
Mr Mawarire said the rangers and police officer proceeded to Manyezu’s homestead, but failed to locate him. They only found his mother, Ever Sigauke.
“Searches were carried out in the accused person’s house during the presence of his mother and about 3kgs of game meat were recovered. Sigauke confirmed that the accused person was the one who had brought the meat.
“Further searches were carried out at the accused person’s homestead which led to the recovery of a fresh baboon palm at the back of his house. The compensation value of the killed baboon is $500,” said Mr Mawarire.
