Two men from Beitbridge will spend the next nine years behind bars after being convicted of illegally possessing and attempting to sell a live pangolin by the Beitbridge Regional Magistrates Court, one of the world’s most endangered and heavily protected animals.
The pair Andrew Kahlamezi (53) and Sakhile Ncube (45) were arrested on the 8th of July 2024 following a well-coordinated sting operation by CID detectives, acting on a tip-off.
According to the NPA, investigators received intelligence that the suspects were offering a live pangolin for sale near the ZIMRA Dam wall.
“Undercover officers posed as buyers and arranged a meeting.
When the suspects arrived in a Toyota Hiace, detectives watched as they produced the pangolin hidden in a black bag inside a crate,” said NPA.
The offenders were caught red-handed attempting to sell the animal for ZAR 150,000.
They tried to flee when police revealed their identities but were swiftly apprehended.
The pangolin, a female weighing 8.7 kg, was rescued alive and taken to veterinary authorities for medical assessment and care
