Suspected poacher Life Shoko (29), from Kambanjo in Gokwe, who was intercepted and shot by rangers while poaching at the Bubye Valley Conservancy in Beitbridge last year, has been slapped with an effective two-year jail term by Beitbridge magistrate Langton Mkwengi.
BY SILAS NKALA
Shoko (29) was charged with poaching and illegal possession of a fire arm.
Prosecutor Munyonga Kuvarega told the court that on December 9, 2018, Shoko and his accomplice, only identified as Chigomwe, who is still at large, entered Bubye Valley Conservancy armed with a .375 rifle loaded with seven rounds of ammunition and fitted with a telescopic device and silencer.
When rangers intercepted Shoko and his accomplice, they tried to escape, but the convict was shot on the right leg, while his accomplice made good his escape.
Shoko was caught in possession of the rifle and seven rounds of live ammunition, an axe and food rations and water. The two appeared to have been tracking a rhino spoor.
