Zimbabwean man to be extradited to Botswana

Zimbabwean national Dumisani Moyo, who has been described as a poaching kingpin by the Zimbabwean media, has lost his bid to halt his extradition to Botswana where he is due to stand trial for a criminal charge.

Late last week, Moyo pleaded with the Harare Magistrates' Court to protect him and stop his extradition by the International Police (Interpol). Interpol Harare had approached court requesting for an extradition certificate in order to send Moyo to Botswana.

Although details of the outcome of the extradition case are still sketchy, The Monitor has learnt that the magistrate ruled in favour of Interpol and granted the extradition certificate. The Botswana Police Service (BPS) spokesperson, Near Bagali also confirmed that Moyo will be extradited to Botswana.

"It is indeed true that the court has ruled in favour of Interpol. We are waiting for government officials in Zimbabwe to rubber stamp the extradition process. He will be in Botswana soon," Bagali said in an interview. Added Bagali: "In Botswana, he was charged with an offence of illegal possession of a government trophy. To be specific, he was found in possession of a rhino horn". Rhino horns are in high demand in Asia where it is widely believed that they can cure certain illnesses. They are also used as a symbol of wealth and status by some within the Asian community. The 52-year-old Moyo has allegedly been on the run from Botswana authorities since 2012 after he was granted bail by the Francistown magistrate.

He was reportedly found in possession of a rhino horn during a roadblock in Francistown. Moyo, who has been on Interpol red notice for some time, was arrested in Kwekwe (Zimbabwe) two months ago, and he has

often been linked to several rhino poaching and related activities in Mozambique, Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia amongst other countries. It is reported that after his arrest in Botswana, he was placed on a P10,000 bail and subsequently sneaked back into Zimbabwe illegally and hid in the Midlands city. During his court appearance, Moyo claimed that he illegally crossed into Zimbabwe since his passport had been confiscated by the Botswana authorities as part of his bail conditions.

According to the Zimbabwean media, Moyo who appeared before magistrate Josephine Sande, told the court that he feared the harsh treatment he is likely to receive at the hands of security organs in Botswana who have adopted a hard line stance towards poachers.

"Your Worship, do not be cheated by the State, they only want me to go to Botswana to face harsh treatment for the case I did not commit. I do not know if this country's authority can allow its citizen to face that harsh treatment by Botswana's security authorities," Moyo said according Newsday.

Moyo, who was not represented, reportedly pleaded with the court to postpone the matter to enable him to seek the services of a lawyer.

Prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa countered him arguing that he is a flight risk. According to the Zimbabwean media in January this year, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority named Moyo as one of the most wanted cross-border poachers linked to several poaching activities at the country's Rhino Intensive Protection Zones.