Pangolin poacher jailed nine years
THE attraction of anticipating good omen has landed a Masvingo man in trouble after he was sentenced to nine years in prison after being found in possession of a pangolin valued at $5 000.
In some Zimbabwean societies pangolins are associated with good omen and are only reserved for chiefs or people of high standing. Vandirai Vatanhiko (26) of Tazvirura Village under Chief Murinye was arrested by police at Lake Mutirikwi while in possession of the animal which he had put in a metal box.
Appearing before Masvingo magistrate Mr Langton Ndokera on Thursday Vatanhiko pleaded guilty to poaching but denied that he wanted to sell the animal. Mr Ndokera, however, sentenced Vatanhiko to nine years in jail for hunting a specially protected animal without a permit. Delivering his sentence, Mr Ndokera said Vatanhiko committed a serious offence by poaching one of the rare animal species.
“Hunting a wild animal without a licence or permit is a serious offence that carries a mandatory sentence of not less than nine years. Your intention was to deprive the Government of potential revenue as pangolins are attractions that international tourists visit to see,” said Mr Ndokera
In mitigation, Vatanhiko said that he did not have the intention to sell the animal but wanted to hand it over to Chief Murinye in anticipation of a big reward.
“It is our belief that a pangolin means good omen and when I found the animal, I thought my turn had come. I was arrested while on my way to hand over the animal to Chief Murinye in the belief that I would be rewarded handsomely,” said Vatanhiko.
For the State, Ms Nancy Makuvise said on Monday, police received information that Vatanhiko was spotted at Lake Mutirikwi while in possession of a pangolin and was looking for a buyer.
“At around 5pm four detectives proceeded to Lake Mutirikwi where upon arrival they saw Vatanhiko sitting on a rock by the side of the road. The accused was holding a metal box that had a pangolin inside,” said Ms Makuvise prosecuting.
The court heard that Vatanhiko was asked to produce either a hunting permit or licence for possession of the animal but failed to do so, leading to his arrest.