Poacher gets 17 years

Herald Reporter
January 15, 2010

A MASVINGO man, Tendai Mutyairi, was sentenced to 17-years in jail for poaching a rhino at Matendere Range.

Masvingo magistrate Mr Walter Chikwanha suspended 10 years of the sentence on condition that Mutyairi pays US$120 000 restitution to the State.

The court heard that sometime last year, Mutyairi and two cousins Samson and Ishmael Mazhongwe went to Matendere Range with the intention of poaching rhinos.

The trio killed one rhino at the range and wounded another one, which managed to escape.

After killing the rhino, the court heard, the trio dehorned the dead animal.

They were, however, intercepted by a crack team from the police and Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

Mutyairi, who was using an AK47 rifle was shot in the abdomen after exchanging gunfire with the police.

Samson and Ishmael managed to escape with the firearm and police are hunting for them. Parks and Wildlife Management Authority public relations manager Caroline Washaya-Moyo said the development was encouraging as poachers were getting deterrent sentences.

"This sentence is a welcome move that will work as a deterrent to would-be offenders. In the past, most poachers were getting away with lighter sentences such as fines and community services," she said. Ms Washaya-Moyo said the sentencing was as a culmination of efforts made by the Authority to curb poaching across the country.

I'd be real OK with contributing to a reward program.

Rich

Where's this Zim fool going to get $120K USD? I say, lock him up for all 17 years, and "dehorn" him in the process.

Gladiator arena with a couple of white rhinos should be an appropriate rehabilitive treatment.

John