Heather Buzuzi
MUTARE –
In a bizarre incident that left many residents shocked, a 21-year-old sex
worker was caught with a live African python measuring 4.1 metres at Greengate
Lodges.
In a bizarre incident that left many residents shocked, a 21-year-old sex
worker was caught with a live African python measuring 4.1 metres at Greengate
Lodges.
This
was heard in the Mutare Magistrates’ Court where Loice Samhere, who is owner of
the lodge, and sex worker Queen Mpofu (21) of Number 1492 Silverbow, Rusape,
made their initial appearance.
was heard in the Mutare Magistrates’ Court where Loice Samhere, who is owner of
the lodge, and sex worker Queen Mpofu (21) of Number 1492 Silverbow, Rusape,
made their initial appearance.
They
appeared before magistrate Notebulgar Muchineripi facing charges of keeping or
being in possession of a protected animal.
appeared before magistrate Notebulgar Muchineripi facing charges of keeping or
being in possession of a protected animal.
They
were not formally charged and were remanded in custody to January 05, 2020.
were not formally charged and were remanded in custody to January 05, 2020.
The
State’s case, as presented by prosecutor Tirivanhu Matyasire, is that on
December 04 ,2019 at Greengate Lodge, Samhere and Mpofu, or one of them, unlawfully
kept or had in their possession a python.
State’s case, as presented by prosecutor Tirivanhu Matyasire, is that on
December 04 ,2019 at Greengate Lodge, Samhere and Mpofu, or one of them, unlawfully
kept or had in their possession a python.
An
unnamed male went to the lodge for sex with Mpofu and found her already in the
room that they had booked.
unnamed male went to the lodge for sex with Mpofu and found her already in the
room that they had booked.
When
the man put his satchel on top of the bag that was containing the python, the
reptile made a strange noise, frightening the prospective client into a
panicked and noisy flight.
the man put his satchel on top of the bag that was containing the python, the
reptile made a strange noise, frightening the prospective client into a
panicked and noisy flight.
One
John Sazinyu of 144 Flamingo Drive, Greenside, who works as a caretaker at Black
Gate Lodge, went to find out what was happening and many other people gathered
around.
John Sazinyu of 144 Flamingo Drive, Greenside, who works as a caretaker at Black
Gate Lodge, went to find out what was happening and many other people gathered
around.
Sazinyu
ordered Mpofu to open the bag but she refused.
ordered Mpofu to open the bag but she refused.
Samhere
then ordered Mpofu to remove the bag containing the python from the room. Mpofu
hired a tax which to ferry her belongings from the room including the bag
containing the python to Aloe Park.
then ordered Mpofu to remove the bag containing the python from the room. Mpofu
hired a tax which to ferry her belongings from the room including the bag
containing the python to Aloe Park.
People
made a follow up and gathered at Aloe Park where one member of the public opened
the bag and removed the python from the bag.
made a follow up and gathered at Aloe Park where one member of the public opened
the bag and removed the python from the bag.
At
that moment, Sazinyu ran to Mutare Central Police Station where he made a
report leading to Mpofu’s arrest.
that moment, Sazinyu ran to Mutare Central Police Station where he made a
report leading to Mpofu’s arrest.
When
questioned, Mpofu implicated Samhere as the owner of the python and this led to
the arrest of Samhere.
questioned, Mpofu implicated Samhere as the owner of the python and this led to
the arrest of Samhere.
The
recovered python is currently held by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks)
Mutare and was produced in court as an exhibit.
recovered python is currently held by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks)
Mutare and was produced in court as an exhibit.
