Happison Manjoro (42), Albert Kachomba (46) and Michael Dias Maira (48) were sentenced to a combined 27-year jail term after being convicted of possessing a python skin, which carries a nine-year mandatory jail term. They were found guilty of contravening a section of the Parks and Wildlife Act by magistrate Nomsa Sabarauta.
The court heard that on August 26 this year, detectives from the Minerals and Border Control Unit received a tip that the trio were in possession of a python skin which they intended to sell at the National Art Gallery in Harare. One of the detectives identified as Masasa, pretended to be the buyer and was constantly in communication with Kachomba who asked them meet at the National Art Gallery along Julius Nyerere Way.
Masasa proceeded to the scene and was introduced by Kachomba to his two accomplices to the officers. The court heard Manjoro then opened the satchel to show Masasa the python skin who then signalled his colleagues, leading to the trio’s arrest.
More: NewsDay
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