WILDLEX

On diverse dates between 13th January, 2013 and 25th January, 2015 at Ruaha National Park, Kinyasuga village within Mbarali District in Mbeya Region, accused persons jointly were found in unlawful acquired, accepted and transported government trophies.

The case originated from Mpanda District court were the three appellants were jointly charged for the offence of unlawful possession of government trophies c/s 86(1)(2)(b)(ii) of the Wildlife Conservation Act, No.5 of 2009 read together with 14(d)of the first schedule to and section 57(1) and 60(2) of the Economic and Organized Crime Control Act

On 16 July, 2004 respondents were charged with offence of unlawfully possession of government trophies and made application for bail at Mpanda District Court and granted bail to them under the terms that they should deposit cash bond of Tsh. 6,000,000/=. The High Court allowed the appeal and quashed the decision of the trial court.

It was alleged that on 21 December 2013 at Hangangadinda Village, Namtubo District in Ruvuma Region was found in possession of elephant meat. The charge was withdrawn under section 91(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act).

The accused persons on the 4th July 2007 at about 23:00 hours in Kimande Village within rural district of Iringa were found in unlawful possession of government trophies in the form of 13 pieces of elephant tusks which weighed 68.7 kilograms in all. The accused persons pleaded not guilty.

It was alleged that on the 24th day of August 2013 at Samora area within the municipality and region of Iringa, the accused persons were found in possession of six elephant tusks and six cut pieces of elephant tusks all valued at Tshs 120,000,000/= being the property of the government without lawful permit. They were found not guilty.

The accused was found in possession of elephant meat after receiving information from an informant that the accused was in such possession. He was found not guilty.

It was alleged that on the 16th day of June 2015 at Ruaha National Park within Iringa Region was found in an unlawful possession of an elephant tusk valued at USD 15,000 equivalent of Tshs. 33,090,000/= without a permit. He was also found wiith firearms (a rifle and a Mark 4) as well as ammunition.

On the material date, at 22.00 hrs at Tingirima village within Bunda District in Mara Region, the accused was found in the possession of skins of dik-dik, two pieces of dried meat of the wildebeest and a piece of elephant tusk, after an emergence search in his house, a house owned by his mother and elder brother while he was sleeping.

On 17/03/2012, the game officers at Ikorongo Grumeti Game reserve heard bullets loud fired in the game reserve by unknown persons. The game officers then traced the poachers but didn’t find them.