ZIMBABWE –An anti-poaching investigator is in critical condition after he was attacked and burned in his vehicle by a vicious gang of poachers.
Faceofmalawihas learned that the 28-year-old investigator who works for the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF) was reportedly travelling from Beitbridge to Harare when he was tailed by the gang of poachers. The investigator was travelling in a Toyota Runx vehicle when he was intercepted and set upon by the gang members who were travelling in two vehicles.
The suspected poachers doused the investigatorâs car with fuel before setting it on fire. He sustained serious burns in the attack and had to be airlifted to Harare for specialist treatment after being initially treated in Beitbridge.
AÂ self-styled Mhangura prophet has been jailed 36 months for illegally possessing a two-metre-long African rock python he used for faking miracles.
Chisu Bhunu, 31, of Binje Farm appeared before Chinhoyi provincial magistrate Tapiwa Banda charged with âfound in possession of specially protected animal species without a permit.â
He was sentenced to 36 months in prison, six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Bhunu will serve an effective 30 months in prison.
The State represented by Review Nikisi proved that on May 3 this year Bhunu, who is also a member of the Bible Fellowship Apostolic Ministry, was approached by Farai Makumbi who was seeking prophetic healing for his sick wife, Neria Makumbi.
Suspected poaching gang attacks, burns investigator in his vehicle thezimbabwemail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thezimbabwemail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Staff Reporter
A SELF-STYLED Mutare prophet was arrested Saturday in Marondera after he was found in possession of a Rinkal Cobra by police.
According to Information Ministry secretary Nick Mangwana, Maxwell Muguta (28) told police Central Intelligence Department (CID) officers that he had paid US$70 for the serpent in Seke to use it for ritual purposes.
“Madzibaba Maxwell Muguta of Mutare was arrested by CID Marondera after being found in possession of a Rinkal Cobra. He says he had bought it for US$70 from a traditional healer from Seke intending to use it for ritual purposes,” Mangwana confirmed.
Muguta is expected to appear in court at the Marondera Magistrates’ Court this Monday and the cobra has since been left in the custody of Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management (ZimParks) officers.
A self-styled Zimbabwean prophet was Wednesday dragged to court for illegal possession of a two-metre-long African rock python that he used as part of his paraphernalia to fake exorcisms, a spiritual practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person.  .
Chusi Bhunu (31) appeared before magistrate Tapiwa Banda for plea recording, but the court indicated it didnât have jurisdiction over such matters.
The case was then rolled over on Thursday, when Bhunu was expected to plead before a provincial magistrate.
He faces a charge under Section 45 (1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which relates to âfound in possession of specially protected animal species without a permit.â