BY WANDILE TSHUMA
Two men have been fined US$200 each for possession of giraffe meat valued at US$3 500
Thulani Dube (28) and Smart Banda (42) recently appeared before the Hwange Magistrates’ Court , where they pleaded guilty to contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act i.e. removal of any animal or part of an animal from any land or from one place to another.
According to court records, the duo was found with dried giraffe meat, valued at US$3500, in their possession.
The case began on August 24, when a team of rangers on patrol in the Sikumi area of Dete discovered four giraffe legs and a lower jawbone.
The rangers tracked bloodstains and spoor to Dube’s residence, where they found the illicit meat.
Dube implicated Banda, leading to his arrest.
If they default, they will face four months imprisonment.
The giraffe is a protected species in Zimbabwe, and the removal of any animal or part of an animal without permission is a criminal offense.