Zimbabwe government appeals court ruling

The officers were facing charges of entering the country illegally, smuggling a vehicle into the country, and possession of firearms and ammunition without a licence. They were fined USD100 each for illegal entry into the country, while the other charges were dropped.

The three officers were released yesterday but the vehicle and firearms were confiscated so they could be used as evidence in the appeal case, said Botswana Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Gladys Kokorwe. The three officers spent their last night in jail on Monday after the acquittal, as they had to wait for immigration officials to escort them to the border. They were arrested on January 19, after they accidentally crossed into the country while tracking lions that had been terrorising farmers at Lesoma village along the borderline.