HARARE — A 37-year-old Marondera man has pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking in wildlife trophies after he was arrested in central Harare while allegedly attempting to sell eight lion teeth valued at US$20 000.Kenias Sekero appeared before Harare magistrate Lisah Mutendereki, where he admitted the charge and was remanded for sentencing.

The court heard that the case followed an undercover operation by detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) in Harare.According to the State, detectives received information on September 5 that Sekero was in possession of lion teeth and was looking for potential buyers. Officers subsequently contacted him while posing as prospective buyers and arranged to meet him in the city centre.

The meeting was set for Africa Unity Square, with the detectives waiting in a service vehicle along Third Street.At about 11:30am, Sekero allegedly entered the vehicle and took a seat in the front. The State said he then produced a package wrapped in bank paper from his trouser pocket and displayed eight lion teeth to the undercover officers.

He allegedly quoted US$150 for the lion canine teeth and US$130 for five lion incisors.After confirming the transaction, the detectives alerted a waiting back-up team, which moved in and arrested him.

Sekero was unable to produce a valid permit authorising him to possess or sell the wildlife trophies, the court heard.The recovered items were later examined in his presence by Parks and Wildlife Management Authority official Everisto Simayo.

The examination established that the consignment consisted of three lion canine teeth and five lion incisor teeth. The trophies were valued at US$20 000.Sekero’s guilty plea brings the case to the sentencing stage, with the court expected to determine the appropriate penalty for the wildlife trafficking offence.

The case comes amid continued efforts by Zimbabwean authorities to clamp down on the illegal possession and trade of wildlife products, which remain protected under the country’s wildlife laws.