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NewsDay

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Pangolin lands Mutsvangwa driver in trouble

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Former Zimbabwe ambassador to China Christopher Mutsvangwa’s driver, Prince Muusha, was arrested over the weekend for possessing a pangolin, which is a protected species, and allegedly attempting to sell it in central Harare. Yesterday, during Muusha’s bail application it was revealed that he was employed as Mutsvangwa’s driver. It was not made clear in State […]

Former Zimbabwe ambassador to China Christopher Mutsvangwa’s driver, Prince Muusha, was arrested over the weekend for possessing a pangolin, which is a protected species, and allegedly attempting to sell it in central Harare.

Yesterday, during Muusha’s bail application it was revealed that he was employed as Mutsvangwa’s driver.

It was not made clear in State papers where Muusha obtained the endangered species from. He was, however, jointly charged with Stephen Chizema from Mutambara village in Chimanimani, Manicaland.

The two were arrested near the Vehicle Inspection Depot by police detectives from the Border Control and Minerals Unit, who had trailed them along Robert Mugabe Road after receiving a tip-off from an undisclosed informant.

It is alleged the two were travelling in a Nissan Almera heading towards Eastlea suburb, allegedly to look for a buyer when the detectives pounced on them and searched the vehicle, leading to the recovery of the pangolin.

Muusha, who was driving the vehicle at the time, was questioned about the pangolin which was in the vehicle’s boot and he allegedly implicated Chizema.

After interrogation, Chizema is alleged to have told the police he picked it from the bush although it was not indicated in court papers where exactly.

The pair was arrested after failing to produce a licence or permit authorising them to possess endangered species.

If one is found guilty of possessing such an animal in Zimbabwe, he may be sentenced to a three-year jail term among other sentencing options. The two appeared before provincial magistrate Archie Wochiunga yesterday facing a charge of unlawful possession of a specially protected animal and another one of cruelty or unnecessarily tying up or confining an animal.

They were not asked to plead and were remanded out of custody on $100 bail each. As part of their bail conditions, they were ordered to reside at their given addresses and to report twice per week at CID Minerals. Muusha was represented by Frank Hwenhira, while Innocent Chingarande prosecuted.