Crimes and Courts Correspondent
A Rusape farmer, Munetsi Musiiwa Pswarayi (56), has been arrested for poaching after being caught with two carcasses of kudus valued at approximately US$4,000.
Pswarayi was intercepted by police while transporting the poached animals from a farm in Odzi to Rusape.
Details of the Arrest
Pswarayi appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Ms. Annie Ndiraya, where he was represented by Mr. Munyaradzi Manyengavana. He was not asked to plead and was released on his own cognizance.
The prosecution, led by Ms. Tinotenda Muzondo, stated that Pswarayi violated the Parks and Wildlife Act, which prohibits hunting and removing animals without a license.
On October 26, 2024, Pswarayi allegedly used a shotgun to hunt and kill two female kudus at Nyamazura Farm. He then skinned the animals, packed them into sacks, and loaded them into his grey Nissan pick-up truck. The following night, he was stopped at a police roadblock on the Harare-Mutare road, where officers discovered the carcasses.
Evidence and Next Steps
The police found the carcasses, skulls, and hooves, which weighed a total of 164 kilograms. A ZimParks official confirmed the items as game meat, which will be presented as evidence in court.
Pswarayi has been remanded until December 4, 2024, for trial.
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