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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THREE brothers from Binga have been arrested and sentenced to nine years in jail each after being found in possession of two pangolin skin trophies with a combined value of $10 000.

A pangolin is an endangered protected species whose live value is $5 000 and attracts a mandatory nine year jail sentence.

Tama Muleya (28) and siblings Ernest (36) and Clive (38) Komonde, all from Kalamenda area under Chief Sikalenge, told the court that an unnamed person had hired them to transport the skins in exchange for beer.

The trio pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a pangolin trophy skin when they appeared before Matabeleland North magistrate-in-charge Mr Livard Philimon on Friday.

They claimed that they did not know the contents of the truck and box that they were found carrying by police and rangers from the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority recently.

The magistrate convicted the trio saying its claims were unfounded.

“It’s very clear that the three knew what was inside the boxes which were not sealed. Also the fact that they attempted to flee shows that they were aware of what was inside and that it was an offence,” said the magistrate before slapping each with a nine year jail term.

Prosecuting, Mr Bruce Maphosa invited three witnesses who corroborated that Muleya, Ernest and Clive tried to escape after seeing the anti-poaching team. Two alleged accomplices managed to flee leaving the cardboard box with one of the skins.

“Rangers received a tip–off that the trio and two others who are still at large were in possession of pangolin skins. The team intercepted the accused on 26 September along the Binga-Dete road near Sinamatela turn off but they tried to flee,” said the prosecutor.

“The three were carrying a black trunk and their accomplices who escaped were carrying the box. Police found them with two pangolin skins weighing 2.720kg and 2.020kg each in the trunk and box with a combined value of $10 000.”

The anti-poaching team managed to arrest Muleya and the Komonde brothers.

Mr Modern Chimwanda of Nyawo, Ruzive and Partners represented the trio.

The skins were forfeited to the State. — @ncubeleon.