A man from Masvingo was apprehended yesterday while attempting to sell five lion heads valued at US$100,000. The suspect, Patson Ndhlovu (32), appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo to face charges of poaching. He was granted bail in the amount of US$200 and is scheduled to return to court on March 18 for trial.
According to the allegations, on February 17 of this year, detectives from the CID Flora and Fauna Unit in Harare received information about Ndhlovu and his accomplices being in possession of five lion heads and seeking potential buyers. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the detectives proceeded to the location mentioned, where they conducted surveillance.
The detectives observed Ndhlovu and his accomplices approaching a vehicle driven by one of the detectives, which was parked near Harare’s Baines clinic. The suspects entered the vehicle, and it drove toward Mazowe Street. From a distance, the backup team witnessed their colleague and the suspects disembarking from the vehicle and entering Mazoe Mansions Flats.
After some time, the detectives noticed Ndhlovu carrying a blue and purple bag, which he placed at the back of the team’s pickup truck. The detectives approached the vehicle, identified themselves by presenting their police identification cards, and requested Ndhlovu to provide a permit or license authorizing his possession of the lion heads.
Unable to produce the required documents, the accused was arrested, and the five lion heads were recovered as evidence, which will be presented in court.
