(Last Updated on December 10, 2015 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – One of the unlicensed pangolin traders who were nabbed with a US$5 000 worth specified animal was yesterday jailed for nine years.
Friday Osman, 43, who was residing in Dzivaresekwa in the capital, found guilty of the offence after a full trial.
Magistrate Elijah Makomo slapped him with the mandatory jail term after he failed to furnish the court with his special circumstances in mitigation.
Osman was being jointly charged with Chengetai Masunda, 37, who disappeared upon being granted bail by the High Court.
Masunda is still on the run.
Circumstances leading to the two’s arrest are that on October 22 this year, detectives from CID Braeside were told that Osman and Masunda were selling a pangolin.
The detectives posed as potential buyers before proceeding to Osman’s house where they met Masunda.
Masunda took them into the house where he showed them the pangolin which was being kept in a bucket.
The detectives asked Masunda to take the pangolin to their car where they said the money was.
Masunda and Osman were also asked to enter into the detectives’ car before they drove to Sanganayi Inn Service Station along Kirkman road.
Upon arrival at Sanganayi Inn, the detectives identified themselves leading to the pair’s arrest.
The pangolin was handed over to the department of Parks and Wildlife.
Sharon Mashavira represented the State in the matter.