Zimbabwe: Suspected Rhino Poachers Denied Bail


Masvingo Bureau — Six suspected rhino poachers who were arrested in Harare last week after being found in possession of two rhino horns worth US$120 000 have been denied bail.

Masvingo provincial magistrate Mr Timeon Makunde ruled that the six were likely to abscond because they were facing a serious offence.

They are alleged to have dehorned a white rhino in Save Valley Conservancy in the Lowveld.

Peter Makaye (44), Tsumei Nemabwe (39) both from Bikita, Godfrey Nyambuya (34), Nelson Abraham (34), David Murara (37) all from Mutare and Charles Makuro Muzenda (43) from Chitungwiza had applied for bail

on Tuesday when they appeared before Mr Makunde charged with contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.

Mr Makunde remanded the six - who were represented by Mr Rodney Saratoga and Mr Johannes Ruvengo - in custody to August 5 for trial.

Charges against the six arose on June 29 this year when they allegedly went to Matendere Ranch in the wildlife rich Save Valley Conservancy where they allegedly killed a white rhino and dehorned it.

They allegedly took the two rhino horns to Harare where they intended to sell them. However, they were arrested after two of them Abraham and Nyambuya were arrested while trying to sell the horns at Sam Levy Shopping Centre in Borrowdale, Harare.