HARARE – Prosecutors Monday withdrew charges against two crocodile farmers who were erroneously arrested and charged on suspected poaching of crocodiles.
This is after the duo of Duncan Andrew Wardly, 59, and Vimbai Dzingirai, 31, had produced a valid permit allowing it to keep crocodiles.
Detectives had arrested them for allegedly contravening sections of the Parks and Wildlife Act.
The two recently had their 52 crocodile skins confiscated without a search warrant after police accused them of poaching.
Following the withdrawal of charges, the two have been given the skins back.
Dzingirai had sued Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Clerk of Court, Police Officer Commanding Minerals and Detective Assistant Inspector Mufara in attempts to repossess the crocodile skins.
In her founding affidavit, Dzingirai insisted that the confiscation was unlawfully executed.
She said the officers identified as Detective Constable Gonzo and Detective Constable Chiriparanyanga never produced a search warrant.
“I resisted this move as they did not have a search warrant,” she had noted in her affidavit.
“They maintained that they would not leave my premises before they had seized the items that they suspected I was in possession of items for criminal activities.
“They even went as far as suggesting that one of them could sleep inside my house in order to ensure that these items do not disappear.
“I was taken aback by the conduct of these officers and I immediately made contact with Police General Headquarters.
“To my utter dismay and surprise, I was advised that there is nothing called CID Hatfield. Police General Headquarters then directed me to CID Marlborough for any assistance that I may need.”
After the confiscation, Dzingirai was arrested and taken to court.
The NPA then withdrew charges after she produced her permit before magistrate Tafadzwa Miti.
