BY WANDILE TSHUMA
Two Hwange men have been sentenced to 26 months imprisonment for setting 49 wire snares, including 48 class one snares, in Sinamatela Game Park, resulting in the killing of one impala and two female kudus, with a total value of US$6 000 worth of dried game meat.
Lungisani Moyo (38) and Joel Nyathi (27), both from Madumabisa Village, were convicted of contravening the Trapping of Animal Control Act.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the state presented a case that the two unlawfully set the snares this month, resulting in the illegal killing of one impala and two female kudus.
The matter came to light after a joint patrol by police and Zim-Parks officers intercepted a man in the Lwendulu area carrying a suspicious black bag. Upon searching him, authorities recovered 12 bundles of dried game meat.
Upon probe, the man led officers to Moyo’s residence, where further illegal game products were discovered.
Subsequent searches at both Moyo and Nyathi’s homes yielded a total of 22 bundles of dried game meat, kudu hooves, intestines, and other animal parts.
Police investigations confirmed the use of wire snares to hunt the animals within protected parkland.
The total value of the poached wildlife is US$6 000.
Of the 26-month sentence, 10 months were suspended for five years, leaving the two to serve an effective 16 months imprisonment.