FOUR men have appeared at Masvingo Magistrates Court facing a charge of illegal possession of a pangolin.

Silvanos Makuto (44), Edmond Muchakata (40) both of Village 7A, under Chief Budzi, Bikita, Willias Tongei (38) of Munorweyi Village, under Chief Nyashanu, Buhera and Brian Njerere (30) of Highfield, Harare, are accused of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.

They were remanded in custody to August 29.

According to court papers, on August 13, Parks and Wildlife Management Authority officers were tipped that the four were in possession of a live pangolin and were looking for buyers.

The Parks officials teamed up with police officers and posed as potential buyers.

They went and met the accused persons at Nehanda Business Centre in Bikita.

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The accused brought a brown sack containing a live pangolin, leading to their arrest.

The pangolin weighed 6,5kg and was valued at US$5 000.