By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Four suspects, Masauso Nevhaya, Priscila Chabata, Wonder Bozho, and Stanford Mbiriyauruka, have been remanded in custody after being arraigned at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on charges of unlawful possession of raw unmarked ivory.
The matter is set for trial on June 10, 2025 and the accused persons were remanded in custody.
Allegations are that on the 30th of May 2025, detectives from CID MFFU Harare received a tip-off about individuals in possession of ivory at St Martins, Harare, seeking buyers. Detective Assistant Inspector Bhunu contacted a suspect, one Mutize (still at large), posing as a buyer.
A meeting was arranged at Coca Cola Bus Terminus and during the operation, the suspects agreed to sell the ivory at US$70 per kilogram.
A vehicle driven by accused number four delivered the ivory, which was shown to the undercover officer and hidden in five brown sacks in the vehicle’s boot.
After confirming the presence of the ivory, the police arrested the accused persons despite an attempt to escape.
An additional sack of ivory was found at the residence of accused number two.
The total recovered ivory weighed 235.2 kilograms and is valued at US$39,984.
A Parks and Wildlife official confirmed it was raw, unmarked ivory.