3 Mozambicans arrested with pangolins

Martin Muleya
CHIPINGE TIMES REPORTER

MUTARE – Three suspects from Chiefs’ Mafuse, Mushamba and Musimwa in Mozambique have appeared on routine remand after they were charged for possessing two pangolins, a mother and its young one.
They were nabbed by Police detectives as they tried to sell the specially protected animals for a total of US$7 000 and the matter is before Mutare Magistrate Perseverance Makala.
The trio are represented by Medusa Simango of Mupindu Legal Practitioners and Netsai Nyamwanza of Nyamwanza and Associates. Thurstone Mubvumbi prosecuted.
Their charge is contravening Section 45 (1) as read with Section 128 (b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act as read with Section 2 of the Statutory Instrument 70: 2020 “Keep in possession or sell a specially protected animal product thereof”.
Noah Simon Dhliwayo (26), Ernesto Estervoo Quichini (44) and David Joao Joaquin (25); all unemployed and residing in Mozambique were in possession of two live pangolins for which they desperately sought for a buyer.
They skipped the border through Cashel Valley on October 8, 2022 intending to meet buyers who had contacted them through the phone.
Police got a tip-off and tracked them as they came in to see Tobias Porisingazi of Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management (ZimParks) who was contacting them through the phone.
The three met the ZimParks official at Muraisi Village, Chief Mutambara as Police who pretended to be buyers waited in a car. They were nabbed as they sat in the Police car waiting to receive a down payment of US$2 000.
The three were remanded in custody to October 24, 2022 and the pangolins weighed 10,5kg and 1,85kg respectively with a value of US$10 000.