WILDLEX

The appellants were jointly arraigned in the District Court of Nachingwea at Nachingwea on a charge of unlawful possession of government trophies. Both were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for twenty (20) years. Aggrieved with the decision, they both preferred appeals to the High Court of Tanzania at Mtwara.

On about 16th day of June 2009 at Manyara ranch area, Makuyuni village within Monduli District in Arusha region, the accused was found in unlawful possession of one elephant tusk property of the Government of Tanzania. The accused was found guilty and was therefore convicted.

According to the lower court records, the appellant stood charged with the offence of unlawful possession of government trophy. He was found guilty, convicted and sentenced to 10 years jail imprisonment. The High Court allowed the appeal, quashed the conviction and set aside the sentence.

The appellants were arrested following information that they were in possession of buffalo meat. The appellants disputed any knowledge about the meat affirming they had no license for hunting. They were found in the house where the meat was because they took rest for the night.

The appellant aggrieved by the decision of the District Court of Monduli in Economic Crime Case No. 8 of 2009 lodged an appeal before the High Court. The case originated from Monduli District Court Criminal Case No. 8 of 2009.

On 18.07.2000, the Tarangire National Park rangers were informed that certain villagers of Sangaiwe, of whom the appellant was one, were in possession of government trophies. They laid information to the police and made a follow up at Sangaiwe. On arrival there, they contacted the village leadership.

The appellant one Mauridi Ganame was on 17/04/1997 convicted by Lindi District Court on a charge of unlawful possession of government trophies. He was subsequently sentenced to twenty five (25) years imprisonment. While the court sentenced the appellant was not in court.

The appellant Ausi Hassani Nampali was on 24th October, 2001 convicted by the Lindi District Court on two counts of unlawful possession of government trophy contrary to section 67(1) and (c) (d) (iii) and (2A) of the Wildlife Conservation Act No. 12 of 1974 as amended by Act No.

The appellant was found in possession of a weighing scale while drying meat identified by the witnesses using their experience to be that of a zebra. There was no skin or head to support such claim.

With the help of an informer, the accused person on 24th December 2000 at Mto wa Mbu area within Monduli District, Arusha region was found at Zanzibar guest house with two elephant tusks and three hippopotamus tusks property of the Tanzania government. The accused was found not guilty and therefore was acquitted.