Mang�ola

A peasant farmer from Oldeani - Mbulu has been sentenced to serve 30 years in prison after being found guilty of possessing a leopard skin against the law.

John Shauri (22) was arrested on the 6th of October last year in Mang�ola village of Mbulu with a Tsh.1 million worth of leopard skin, said to have been acquired illegally.

It was alleged in court that his arrest was a result of the reports given to wildlife officers at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) who together with the local police, later conducted an extensive search in the area.

Posing as potential customers ready to buy the skin which the accused had been trying to sell, the government officers made an appointment to meet with Mr. Shauri.

The accused, later arrived at the meeting place and after some bargaining he offered to sell them the leopard skin at Tsh.70,000 of which, the officers paid Tsh.40,000 promising to settle the remaining amount later.

It was after the transaction had taken place, that the accused was arrested and taken before the Anti Poaching Unit where his statement was recorded.

The prosecutor from the Anti Poaching Unit, Abubakar Mustapha asked the court to issue heavy penalty to the accused as cases of illegal possession of government trophies were becoming rampant.

The Resident Magistrate, Thomas Simba sentenced the accused, who had earlier pleaded not guilty, to serve 30 years in prison.