Two men, Tapiwa Machaya from Bikita and Rodrick Murambisi from Marondera, were sentenced to 9 years in prison after being caught with a pangolin, a protected animal in Zimbabwe.
They were arrested by detectives from CID Mutare who were tipped off about the illegal sale.
On July 16, 2024, the detectives posed as buyers and contacted Murambisi, who agreed to meet at Manica Skyview Hotel.
When they met, Murambisi asked for US$6,000 for the pangolin and was seen arriving in a Toyota Aqua. Machaya was waiting nearby with a brown bag.
Once the price was settled, the detectives revealed themselves and conducted a search. They found a pangolin hidden in Machaya’s bag.
Neither man had the necessary permit to own the pangolin, which weighed 4.2 kg and was valued at US$5,000.
The men were then arrested for violating the Parks and Wildlife Act.
