Honde Valley man nabbed with pangolin scales

A HONDE VALLEY man was recently arrested with pangolin scales worth $5 000.

Daniel Man’aira (43) of Nyabindu Village under Chief Mutasa in Sagambe, Honde Valley was not asked to plead to the charge of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.

He is being charged with contravening Section 45 (b) as read with General Laws Amendment Act, Section 128 (b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14, otherwise known as being found in possession, selling or otherwise disposing of any live specially protected animal or the meat or trophy of any such animal.

Man’aira was granted $150 bail and the matter was adjourned to March 31 for trial.

Mutare lawyer, Lloyd Mvere of Mvere, Chikamhi, Mareanadzo Legal Practitioners represented Man’aira. Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted. Allegations were that Mclean Yakobe, an investigations officer at Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife received information that Man’aira was in possession of pangolin scales which he was intending to sell on March 16.

With officers from the Minerals and Border Control Unit, Yakobe proceeded to Sagambe area in Honde Valley to make a follow-up on the information.

At around 10pm , the crew pretended to be buyers and agreed to meet with the seller, Man’aira.

After arriving at the meeting point, the accused person is alleged to have narrated to the detectives that he did not have a live pangolin, but pangolin scales.

He allegedly told them that he was selling his scales for $4 000, a price to which the detectives agreed to.

He then produced five pangolin scales from his bag and he was arrested.

The pangolin scales weighed 0.042 grammes and are valued at $5 000.

Mutare magistrate, Mr Innocent Bepura presided over the matter.