Trio arrested in Borrowdale pangolin deal sting

 

 

Mike Mashiri - Court Correspondent 

Three people — Siphilisiwe Meya, Lovemore Chitahwa, and Tapiwa Katungireni — have appeared in court for allegedly attempting to sell a live pangolin valued at US$5,000, in violation of the Parks and Wildlife Act.

Detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) in Harare posed as buyers and arranged a meeting with the suspects at Sam Levy Village, Borrowdale. The 10.3 kg pangolin was recovered at the scene.

Prosecutors said Katungireni provided the buyer’s contact, Meya handled the negotiations, while Chitahwa arrived with the pangolin and was arrested on the spot along with the others.