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.

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 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.

The appellant Ahmad Mshamu was on 13/06/2002 convicted by Newala District Court on a charge of four counts. Among them, two were on unlawful possession of fire arms and other two counts were on unlawful possession of government trophies contrary to the law. He appealed the decision.

In May 2O12, Bocha X. transported five ivory from Guangxi to Shuangfeng. Together with Min L. and Dingsheng L., he moved the ivory to Dingsheng L.'s house to weigh and settle the payment. In July of the same year, Bocha X. transported ivory to Shuangfeng, and he with Min L.

From 2016 to 2018, the defendant, Fenglian L., without obtaining the Hunan Province Wild Animals and Products Management License and without registering with the industrial and commercial department, purchased wild snakes with unknown sources from Wang, Xia, Xianlong W. Fenglian L.

From April to June 2017, Jinyu W. purchased two live snakes from two WeChat friends at a price of 1700 yuan and 260 yuan through WeChat transfer, respectively. On December 26, 2017,Jinyu W. posted information on the sale of these 2 snakes in the Post Bar, and at the same time contacted potential buyers through WeChat group.

In July 2018, Yuehong L. contacted Sibing S., who was engaged in color printing, and met. Yuehong L. took out a timber transportation certificate and a phytosanitary certificate, and asked Sibing S. to print 30 copies of each certificate.