Two Zimbabwean Nationals Caught with Live Pangolin Near Nyamapanda Border Post

On September 4, 2025, two Zimbabwean nationals were caught red-handed in possession of a live pangolin in the administrative post of Nhamapanda, Changara District, Tete Province. The suspects were intercepted near the Nyamapanda border post as they attempted to sell the animal for a substantial sum.

Information gathered by authorities indicated that the group involved was actively seeking buyers from Zimbabwe, with the ultimate aim of delivering the pangolin to a Chinese national suspected of involvement in the illicit wildlife trade.

The detained individuals were transferred to the Changara Penitentiary Service, where they remain in custody. Notably, one of the suspects is well known in the region for his ongoing involvement in illegal activities, particularly in facilitating the cross-border movement of contraband through the Cuchamano corridor.

The operation is part of a broader regional effort to clamp down on transboundary wildlife trafficking networks, which continue to threaten vulnerable species like pangolins. These animals are among the most heavily trafficked in the world, driven by high demand for their scales and meat.

Rather than a one-off event, this arrest sheds light on a broader, persistent pattern of organized crime operating across the Mozambique–Zimbabwe border. Authorities are intensifying investigations to identify other individuals connected to the network and prevent further trafficking attempts.