Tichaona Mutyairi aged 28, who was arrested on 27 October 2009 after poaching a rhinoceros
was sentenced to 17 years in prison by Masvingo Magistrate, Walter Chikwanha on January 11
2010. Ten years was suspended on condition the accused pays restitution of US$120 000,00 to
the state. Mutyairi who was in the company of his cousin, Samson Mazhongwe and Ishmael
Mazhongwe, proceeded to Matendere Range where they intended to kill rhinos for their horns.
The Prosecutor in this case was Tafirei Tandirai.
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Public relations manager Caroline Washaya-Moyo
added that the trio managed to kill one rhino and also wounded another one which escaped. They
removed the horns from the dead rhino after which they were intercepted by a crack team from
the police and Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers. Mutyairi, who was using an
AK47 rifle, was shot in the abdomen and captured during a fierce exchange of gunfire. Samson
and Ishmael managed to escape with the firearm.
Efforts are being made to arrest Samson and Ishmael and bring the two to book.
Washaya-Moyo added that the development is encouraging as deterrent sentences are being
meted out a move that hopefully will deter would be poachers. She added that this is as a result
of the many efforts that have been made by the Authority the most recent one being a crime
awareness workshop that was held last year in Hwange. Such sentences, she stressed are
encouraging and assist in bringing the conservation reputation of the country back on track.