Three men from Beitbridge have been sentenced to community service for illegally possessing wildlife.
Simon Ngulube (41), Mushe Muleya (37), and Welcome Ngulube (30) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Maxwell Ncube on charges of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.
They pleaded guilty and were convicted.
They were initially sentenced to 10 months in prison. Still, three months were suspended on good behaviour while the remaining seven months were suspended on the condition that each complete 245 hours of community service.
On May 7, 2024, police received a tip that the trio had killed wild animals for meat.
Acting on this information, a joint team from the police and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority raided their residence.
The raid resulted in the recovery of carcasses of an impala, warthog, and a scrub hare. The men were unable to produce a hunting permit and were subsequently arrested.
The total value of the animals was US$2,100, and none were recovered.
