WILDLEX

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.

On the material date, the appellant is alleged to be seen carrying a luggage by the patrol officer, when he was asked to stop he ran. He was chased and eventually caught, arrested and searched where he was found in possession of four pieces of dried meat.

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.

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.

On 10th July 2014 at Marerani-Kilimahewa within Simanjiro District, Manyara region, the accused was found in unlawful possession of two impala meat valued at 780 USD equivalent to Tshs. 1,248,000/= and two dik-dik meat valued at 500 USD equivalent to Tshs. 800,000/= both being properties of Tanzania.

The appellant stood charged with the offence of unlawful possession of government trophy c/s 59 (2) of the Economic and Organized Crimes Control Act, Cap 200 R.E 2002 and section 67 (1) & 2 (b) of the Wildlife Conservation Act [Cap 283 R.E 2002].

The appellants were alleged to have been found in the Tarangire National Park in unlawful possession of three swala pala meat valued at Tshs 1,813,500/-, three did-dik meat valued at Tshs 1,162,500/- and three reedbuck meat valued at Tshs 2,092,500/- all valued at Tsh 5,068,500/- the property of Tanzania Government.

On 24.11.2000, the Anti-Poaching Unit while in routine patrol heard a gun sound and responded immediately. Upon arriving at the crime scene, the Unit found the accused persons removing zebra skin they have killed using a riffle after shooting 22 rounds of ammunition. The accused persons were arrested.

On 25.09.2014 Manyara Park Rangers were patrolling at Kirurumo area Manyara National Park. While patrol, the rangers met the accused and suspected him to be carrying government trophy. When the accused was stopped and searched, they were found in unlawful possession of zebra meat. The accused was found guilty and was therefore convicted.