Africa Hunting : Zimbabwe: 13 Years for Poaching
on 2011/5/3 5:24:07 (21 reads)
TWO Mozambicans have been sentenced to 13 years in prison each for poaching rhinos at Chipinge Safari Area.
Masvingo magistrate, Mr Oliver Mudzongachisvo last week sentenced Finos Elias Chauke (37) of Chauke Village, Chief Bhudhula, Manica in Mozambique and Chiko Jossai Chithlangu (34) of Saresawo Village in Chief Matsorele from the same province were arrested in the Chipinge Safari Area hunting rhinos with an AK47 rifle.
Another suspect only identified as Godfrey and believed to have been employed as a game scout at Malilangwe Conservancy is still on the run. The agreed facts are that sometime in March 2010, National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority received information that there was a gang of poachers who intended to poach rhino in Chipinge Safari area. With the assistance of the ZRP, the authority tracked and later arrested the poachers.
Parks spokesperson Ms Caroline Washaya-Moyo, said the authority would continue to aggressively pursue poaching cases and are appealing to the public to relay information on suspected poachers. She commended the working relations existing between parks, police and the judiciary.