Three men from Filabusi sentenced to nine years for pangolin sale

Three guys tried flipping a pangolin, got caught in a sting, and paid with nine-year sentences.

Who got locked up

• Mayibongwe Ndlovu was one of the three convicted.
• Prince Sibanda faced the same charge.
• John Max rounded out the trio.
• All came from Filabusi.

How police closed in

• Detectives acted on a tip about wildlife trading.
• Officers posed as buyers to bait the suspects.
• The trail led them to Bulawayo.

What was found

• A live pangolin was stashed inside a vehicle.
• The animal was hidden in a sack.
• No permits or licenses were produced.

Legal hammer dropped

• The case landed before Sibonginkosi Mkandla.
• Each man received nine years behind bars.
• The offence fell under endangered species laws.

Official warning

• Rachel Muteweri flagged the crime as serious.
• Pangolins and rhinos were singled out as protected.
• The public was urged to steer clear of wildlife trafficking.