A 27-year-old man from Lupane has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing illegal wildlife trophies, in what authorities have described as a significant step in Zimbabwe’s fight against wildlife crime.
Nkosi Lamandla Ncube of Fatima Village appeared before the Hwange Magistrates’ Court facing three charges under the country’s wildlife protection laws.
On the first count, he was convicted of possessing pangolin scales valued at US$5 000 but received no custodial sentence.
For the second count, involving a python skin worth US$2 000, he was handed a 12-month jail term, with six months suspended for five years.
The third and most serious offence involved the possession of two roan antelope tails valued at US$40,000, for which he was sentenced to two years in prison.
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The magistrate ruled that Ncube serve a total of nine years concurrently.
The case followed an operation on August 27, 2025, when Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority officers, working with Painted Dogs Conservation, raided Ncube’s home.
Investigators discovered a concealed satchel containing trophies of specially protected species, leading to his arrest.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said the conviction is a warning to those involved in wildlife crime.
“This conviction highlights Zimbabwe’s firm stance against the illegal possession and trade of endangered wildlife products,” an NPA spokesperson said.
Officials added: “The recovered trophies were forfeited to the State. This serves to strengthen the government’s efforts to combat wildlife crimes and protect endangered species.”
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