Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu (36), from Kasibi village, Matetsi in Hwange was arrested for illegally possessing and dealing a live pangolin for one thousand dollars at Matetsi River Bridge on the 19th of March 2018.
The arrest was confirmed by the police on Sunday.
“Information was received from a usual informant about a man who had a live pangolin, selling it to any willing buyer for one thousand dollars.”
The information was confirmed by the dealer himself when he was contacted undercover, and a deal was struck.
On the 19th of March at 8pm, three of National Parks’ Investigations Officers, together with one officer from Mineral and Border Control Unit went to Matetsi River Bridge where the supposed buyers were to meet with the accused to complete the deal.
With the advantage of the element of surprise they were able to apprehend the accused, along with the pangolin alive in a brown sack which the accused was carrying it in.
Accused Ndlovu was charged of breaking section 128 (1) (b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act Chapter 20; 14 “Illegal possession/ dealing of live pangolin.’
The apprehended pangolin was used as an exhibit at Hwange Magistrate court on the 20th of March 2018, and was later released back to the wild.
The accused pleaded guilty at his court appearance and his he will be sentenced on the third of April 2018, with the allowance for him to present any special circumstances that may have been at par.
Apprehended live pangolin.
Pangolins are specially protected animals under the Parks and Wildlife Act 20; 14, therefore the expected sentence could go as far as 12 years in prison.
The unnamed informant is to be rewarded for his courage and timeliness to report the information which saved the pangolin.
Insert by - Munkuli Godfrey | Bulawayo Regional Office | Western Region
