WILDLEX

On 25th day of 2013, accused was found in possession of the Government trophy and was charged for being in possession of the Government trophies contrary to section 86 (1) and (2) (b) of the Wildlife Conservation Act, No. 5 of 2009 read together with section 14(d) of the Economic and Organized Crime Control Act [Cap 200 R.E 2002].

On 25th August, 2013 at about 01:00hrs at Mheza-Maore Village within Same District – Kilimanjaro region, the appellant was arrested for being in unlawful possession of the government trophy which is one “cheeter” skin worth Tshs. 7,942,900, the property of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania and without permit or license.

On the 14th day of February 2012 at about 20:30 hrs, the accused was arrested by the police upon information that the accused was in possession of government trophies, his house was searched, in a blue plastic bag inside his briefcase a dry skin of a cheetah was found, he was then arrested and taken to court. The accused was convicted.

The accused jointly on the 30th March, 2011 at Osunyani Street Ngusero area within the municipality, District and region of Arusha were found in possession of three live cheetahs, the property of Tanzania government, without a valid licence from the authorized authority.

The prosecution alleged that on 23rd March, 2012 at Kambi ya Fisi within city and region of Arusha, the accused was found in possession of one cheetah skin. According to the prosecution, the accused was in police lock up facing charges of breaking with intent to steal.

The court held that the appellants were protecting the lives of the cubs and as well as their legal interest in the survical of the cubs as the owners of the very expensive animals.