Village Head Fined For Possessing Leopard Skins, Baboon Skull

A village head from Chiweshe has been fined after being found in possession of wildlife trophies valued at US$40,500.

Ernest Nhamburo (51) appeared before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki, where he pleaded guilty to contravening the Wildlife and Parks Act by unlawfully possessing animal trophies.

He was fined US$200, or six months’ imprisonment in default. The recovered exhibits were forfeited to the State and handed over to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks).

The State, represented by Detective Sergeant Murahwa of the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit and Polite Chikiwa from the National Prosecuting Authority, told the court that detectives received a tip-off on April 14, 2026.

The information indicated that a man in Harare’s central business district had a leopard skin and was seeking buyers.

Acting on the tip, detectives conducted surveillance at Africa Unity Square. They soon identified Nhamburo, who matched the informer’s description.

After approaching him and requesting to search his satchel bag, Nhamburo consented. Inside, detectives discovered a transparent plastic bag containing one baboon skull and two leopard cub skins.

Nhamburo failed to produce a valid permit authorising possession of the trophies, leading to his immediate arrest.

At CID offices, a ZimParks official, Everisto Simayo, examined the items and confirmed they were genuine wildlife specimens.

The baboon skull was valued at US$500, while the leopard skins were valued at US$40,000.

More: The Herald