By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Two men from Beitbridge, Andrew Kahlamezi (53) and Sakhile Ncube (45), have been sentenced to nine years in prison for trafficking a live pangolin.
The Beitbridge Regional Magistrates Court convicted them of illegally possessing and attempting to sell the endangered animal.
The pair was arrested on July 8, 2024, in a sting operation by CID detectives, who received a tip-off about the sale of a live pangolin near the ZIMRA Dam wall.
Investigators received intelligence that the suspects were offering a live pangolin for sale near the ZIMRA Dam wall. Undercover officers posed as buyers and arranged a meeting.
When the suspects arrived in a Toyota Hiace, detectives watched as they produced the pangolin hidden in a black bag inside a crate.
The offenders were caught red-handed attempting to sell the animal for ZAR 150,000. They tried to flee when police revealed their identities, but were swiftly apprehended.
The pangolin a female weighing 8.7kg was rescued alive and taken to veterinary authorities for medical assessment and care
NPAZ states that “the mandatory 9 year sentence sends a clear message: Zimbabwe will not tolerate wildlife crimes. Pangolins are a national treasure, and any attempt to profit from pangolin trafficking will be met with the full force of the law.”