Elia Mwapfaa (36) of Bwerudza village in Chipinge and Martin Maera (18) of Chief Ziki in Bikita were convicted on their own plea of guilty for contravening section 45(1)(a) of Parks and Wild Life Act Chapter 20:14.
The State prosecutor Tafirei Tandirai said that Maera and Mwapfa and other two accomplices went to Sango Ranch in Bikita in July this year and killed a rhino.
The following month in company of Emerson Jamukoko and Hardlife Mukombi they allegedly killed a black female rhino using an unlicensed AK-47 assault rifle and dehorned its horns.
Police at Buffalo Range airport received information about the poachers operations and laid an ambush which led to their arrest.
Police recovered AK 47 rifle, two rounds of ammunition which were produced in court as exhibit. They also led police to the scene where they committed the crime.
Cases of poaching are on increase in the country, with various environmentalists leading campaigns against such activities in the country. Top politicians in the country have been linked to poaching syndicates in the country.
Post published in: Environment