6 govt officials in poaching scam
By The guardian team
13th February 2010

They used a govt vehicle and gun to commit crime



Six government officials have been arrested for illegally trapping and killing a buffalo, along the Shangri-la wildlife migration corridor between Ngorongoro Crater and Karatu District.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) game rangers on patrol in Shangri-la area pursued and arrested them after they had gunned down a buffalo.

The Arusha Regional Police Commander, Basilio Matei confirmed the incident, identifying the suspects as including the Karatu District Wildlife Officer Simon Charles and Ally Mohamed a driver with the Karatu District council.

Others are Ordian ward Education Co-ordinator Venance Daniel, Daa and Ordian ward executive officers Ally Sulle and Francis Aliyowa respectively as well as Winna Msemo a farmer.

He said the suspects will appear in court soon.

According to the police chief, the suspected poachers using the Karatu District Council vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser Hardtop with registration number SM 4117 were found with two guns, one belonging to the district council.

NCAA Chief Conservator, Bernard Murunya told a press conference yesterday that the helpless buffalo was shot dead at very close range in the wildlife corridor of Shangri-la.

He said the suspects entered Ngorongoro area at night, in the council’s vehicle with lights switched off, a move which alerted game rangers to follow and later arrest them.

Reports from the NCAA said the suspected poachers embarked on their mission at around 11pm on Wednesday and were arrested at around 3.00am.

Murunya said the suspects were also found with two guns, numbers 375 and 306, one of them being a property of the Karatu district council and the other privately owned.

“This is the first time we have arrested government officials poaching in this prohibited area. It is shocking and very disappointing, ” Murunya explained, adding that the suspects were being held at Ngorongoro Crater police station before appearing in court.

NCAA Tourism services warden, Amiyo Amiyo said the suspects have killed the tourists’ most fascinating wildlife.

The 8,292sq kms of the NCAA, established in 1959, has been declared an "International Biosphere Reserve."

It is a unique, varied and interesting multi-land-use area open to the wonders of exploration in a hired safari vehicle, small aircraft or by foot with Maasai guides and their supply donkeys.

In 1979, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated the sanctuary as a 'Natural World Heritage Site'.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area encompasses the Northern Highlands, extinct and active volcanoes, Olduvai Gorge, the world famous fossil site of early

human beings and the extensive short grass plains which are an integral part of the Serengeti eco-system.


SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN