Three men from Filabusi in Insiza District, Matabeleland South Province, have each been sentenced to nine years in prison for illegally possessing a pangolin.
The men are Mayibongwe Ndlovu (27), Prince Sibanda (36) and John Max (25). They were arrested by detectives in late October last year after a tip-off.
CID spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said that possessing, killing or trafficking pangolins is a serious offence. It is treated as dealing in an endangered species under the Parks and Wildlife Act. Said Muteweri:
“On October 22, 2025, at around 1 p.m., our detectives received intelligence that the trio was engaging in the trade of this endangered species and seeking potential buyers in Fulabusi.”
To catch the suspects, detectives pretended to be buyers and tracked the three men to Bulawayo. There, they found a live pangolin hidden in a sack inside the men’s vehicle.
The suspects failed to produce any licences or permits allowing them to possess the endangered animal and were arrested immediately.
On 16 January 2026, the three men appeared before regional magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla, who convicted them and sentenced each of them to nine years in prison.
Muteweri urged the public to avoid illegal activities involving wildlife, especially endangered species such as pangolins and rhinoceroses.
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