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Nonsikelelo Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
TWO Hwange men have been arrested for killing an impala in Tshakabika bush near Hwange National Park.

Preston Shoko (27) and Thabani Nyathi (24) of Gamba area were arrested after an anti-poaching team recovered the meat at their homesteads.

The duo was charged with removing any part of any animal on any land under the Parks and Wildlife Act.

Hwange magistrate, Mrs Portia Mhlanga-Moyo on Thursday convicted the duo and sentenced them to two months each in jail.

Shoko will serve an effective four months in prison because he has a previous conviction of a similar nature.

The magistrate brought into effect two months that were suspended last year for a similar charge.

Nyathi’s two months jail sentence was suspended on condition that he completes 140 hours of community service at Lukosi Clinic.

Prosecuting, Mr Onias Nyathi told the court that the accused were arrested during an anti-poaching patrol on Monday in Gamba area.

“The accused were arrested after an anti-poaching team comprising the Zimbabwe Republic Police and National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers who were on anti-poaching patrol discovered fresh impala meat at one of the accused’s homestead. The two then implicated each other,” said Mr Nyathi.

The anti-poaching team recovered 28kgs of fresh impala meat valued at $840 from the two men. —@nonsy_m