A Beitbridge man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for illegally hunting and killing a male zebra worth US$3,000 at Sentinel Ranch, Border Ridge Farm i...
A Beitbridge man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for illegally hunting and killing a male zebra worth US$3,000 at Sentinel Ranch, Border Ridge Farm in Beitbridge, according to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ).
Smile Moyo, 28, was convicted by the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court following the incident, which occurred on October 14, 2026. The court heard that Moyo and another suspect, identified as Ntshengedzeni Tshabalala, unlawfully entered the ranch and set wire snares that resulted in the death of the zebra.
Tshabalala remains at large, while Moyo was apprehended by game scouts who observed the pair inspecting the snares. According to the NPAZ bulletin dated October 22, 2026, the scouts managed to arrest Moyo, but Tshabalala escaped.
A hunting knife was recovered from Moyo during the incident. The bulletin states that Moyo subsequently led the game scouts to the zebra carcass, allowing the animal’s remains to be located. The discovery led to further involvement by wildlife authorities in the case.
Officers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) in Beitbridge confirmed the carcass and issued a certificate for use in court proceedings. The zebra was valued at US$3,000, according to the information released by the NPAZ.
The court imposed a six-month prison sentence on Moyo and activated a previously suspended four-month sentence. The two terms brought his total imprisonment to 10 months. The sentence followed the illegal hunting and killing of the zebra on the ranch.
The case highlights the role of game scouts in detecting suspected wildlife crime and apprehending people allegedly involved in illegal hunting. In this incident, the scouts’ observations led to Moyo’s arrest, while the second suspect managed to escape. Tshabalala’s whereabouts were not provided in the NPAZ bulletin.
The recovery of the hunting knife and the discovery of the carcass also formed part of the evidence gathered following the incident. ZimParks officers confirmed the animal’s remains and issued documentation for the court proceedings, helping establish the reported loss of wildlife valued at US$3,000.
The NPAZ said it maintains a zero-tolerance stance on wildlife crime and remains committed to bringing offenders to justice. The authority also warned that wildlife crime poses a serious threat to biodiversity and Zimbabwe’s natural heritage, adding that perpetrators would face the full force of the law.
Moyo’s 10-month prison sentence comes as authorities continue efforts to address illegal hunting and protect wildlife. Meanwhile, Tshabalala remains at large following his escape from the game scouts. The NPAZ bulletin did not provide further details about efforts to locate the outstanding suspect.
