MILLICENT HUNGWE
HARARE –As the fight against wildlife trafficking intensifies, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit arrested four suspects on Thursday, May 30, in Braeside, Harare, for unlawful possession of 41 elephant ivory pieces.
This incident was confirmed by ZRP National Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
The suspects are Masauso Nevhaya (48), Priscilla Chabata (52), Wonder Bozho (51), and Stanford Mbiriyakura (49).
The Midweek Watch was informed that the accused were apprehended following a tip-off as they sought potential buyers for the illicit consignment.
The arrests were made by undercover detectives along Seke Road near Telecel Zimbabwe, after the suspects were found with 35 elephant tusks, weighing 237 kilograms, stashed in brown sacks inside a white Datsun Go.
Upon further investigations, police raided Chabata’s residence where they discovered an additional six tusks, bringing the total number of recovered ivory pieces to 41.
The four suspects are to appear in court, facing charges under the Parks and Wildlife Act, which prohibit the possession and trade of ivory without a permit.
Commissioner Nyathi said that, investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the ivory and uncover the full extent of the smuggling network.
