Police in Lumbadzi have arrested a man and a woman for allegedly being found in possession of pangolin.
According to Felix Kwinyani, Lumbadzi Police Station Public Relations Officer, the two are Martha Jussa, 32 and Peter Mandala, 51.
They were arrested after a tip by members of the public that the suspects were possessing and selling the prohibited animals.
“The suspects have since been charged with illegal possession of specimen of listed species and government trophies contrary to section 110(b) of National Parks and Wildlife Act. They will soon appear before the Court,” said Kwinyani.
According to the National Geographic Channel, pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material that makes up fingernails, hair, and horn.
Pangolin scales, like rhino horn, have no proven medicinal value, yet they are used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with ailments ranging from lactation difficulties to arthritis.
The scales typically dried and ground up into powder, which may be turned into a pill.
