Suspected poaching kingpin acquitted, discharged
Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday June 11, 2019 15:21
According to the particulars of the offence, Moyo, and others not before court were found in possession of a rhino horn at or near the Francistown-Orapa junction without a licence or permit authorising them to possess the horn in 2012.
Moyo who was on bail for the alleged offence retained his freedom after Magistrate Lebogang Kebeetsweng acquitted him of the offence.
Moyo had previously, through his lawyer Kagiso Jani, applied to be acquitted of the offence because the state was not ready to proceed with the trial when scheduled to commence.
Jani had previously mentioned that because the state pressed charges against Moyo, and trial dates were set in their presence, there was no excuse for the state to further delay the trial from proceeding since the matter emanated from 2012.
Moyo will now get his passport that he surrendered to the police and move to his native Zimbabwe as a free man.
He was granted bail on condition that he resides in Francistown and attends court as and when required to do so.
According to a study entitled “Beyond Borders: Crime, conservation and criminal networks in illicit rhino horn trade,” that was carried out by the Global Initiative against Transactional Organised Crime, Moyo is a holder of both Zimbabwe and Zambia passports.
The study adds that Interpol has issued an international red notice calling for member states to arrest Moyo.