By Rangarirai Shanyurai
Two brothers from Chief Murinye area in Masvingo appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Catherine Tafira on November 15, 2024 facing charges of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act after being found in possession of wildebeest meat.
The two, Nelson (23) and Tivenga Chikwenhere (33) pleaded guilty and were remanded in custody waiting for continuation of trial on November 23, 2024.
The state case led by Prosecutor Precious Takuva told the court that on November 6 at around 1750 hours, Evans Shumbayaonda (42) and Godfrey Tavagwisa from Zimparks proceeded to Nemamwa, following a tip off, where they found Nelson and Tivenga.
Then they introduced themselves as Kyle National Park Game Rangers and searched a room used by the brothers and found the wildebeest meat which the two confirmed to be theirs.
Nelson and Tivenga were asked to produce a license or permit which authorized them to possess the wildebeest meat but they failed, leading to their arrest.
On November 7, a veterinary doctor examined the recovered meat and confirmed it to be a wildebeest.
The meat was weighed in the presence of Nelson and Tivenga and it produced 1, 20 kg. The live animal is valued at US$1000.
In their defence, the duo said they got the meat from two fellows whom they identified as Noji Mabwe and Brian Matanda.
