A father and son duo, Abraham Chaukura (Snr) and Abraham Chaukura (Jnr), were arrested in Mutare for attempting to sell two live pangolins. The arrest was made possible by a tip-off, leading detectives from the Mutare Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) to set up a trap.
The Chaukuras were lensed at Watsomba Shopping Centre with the endangered animals, and detectives posing as buyers negotiated a sale. The pair were arrested at St Dominic’s High School, where they had brought the pangolins hidden in a 50kg sack.
Prosecutor Brighton Chiromo emphasized that pangolin trafficking is a serious offense, threatening conservation efforts. The accused failed to produce permits, proving their intention to engage in illegal trade. The pangolins were recovered alive and handed over to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) .
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