The Sunday News
Tendai Bhebe, Sunday News Reporter
A 33-YEAR-OLD man from Matobo District has been arrested for possessing pangolin scales and claws valued at more than $2 000.
Xolani Ndiweni from Dewe Village under Chief Malaki Masuku appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza last week facing charges of unlawful possession of trophy of a specifically protected animal.
He denied the allegations and was remanded in custody to tomorrow for trial.
Prosecuting, Ms Carol Matanga said on 19 March 2019 at about 2pm police officers and game rangers from Matopo National Park went to Ndiweni’s homestead pursuing cases of unlawful entry and theft.
The police officers located Ndiweni at Njelele Primary School and escorted him to his homestead.
Later, the police officers searched Ndiweni’s hut and recovered 404 scales and five claws of a pangolin kept in a sack which was hanging from the roof of his hut.
The court heard that Ndiweni was asked to produce a permit which allowed him to possess the pangolin scales and claws and he failed leading to his arrest.
Ms Matanga said the scales were weighed at ZimParks offices and had a weight of two kilogrammes.
It was confirmed that the scales and claws were of a pangolin. The recovered trophies were valued at $2 020.
Despite arrests and long-term sentences given to pangolin capturers, dealers and traffickers, conservationists believe the increased seizure of live pangolins, pangolin scales, skins and other products indicate an upsurge in poaching of the world’s most widely trafficked animal.
The demand for the nocturnal, ant-eating creature comes mostly from China, where its flesh is sought after as a delicacy.
Its scales are made from keratin, like human fingernails. The scales and hair are used as traditional medicine, which are said to cure skin diseases, asthma as well as promote lactation.
@TendaiBhebe
