Trio Nabbed for Possession of Raw Ivory

Munyaradzi Mashiri | Court Correspondent

Three men have appeared in court facing allegations of unlawful possession of raw, unmarked ivory valued at US$467.50.

Givemore Murisa ,33, Bloodshow Kopa ,45, and Tafadzwa Kuvhenguwa ,36, were arraigned before the Harare Magistrate’s Court and advised to apply for bail at the High Court, as they are facing a Third Schedule offense.

According to the State, on June 12, Detective Assistant Inspector Mufara received a tip-off that the suspects were in possession of ivory in Mbare, Harare.

On June 17, Mufara contacted Murisa while posing as a buyer and arranged a meeting at Robert Mugabe Square to carry out a supposed transaction.

The court heard that Mufara drove to the meeting spot as the undercover buyer, accompanied by Detective Sergeants Shekwani and Kemusi in a separate backup vehicle.

Upon arrival, Mufara called Murisa, who showed up with his co-accused. They entered the vehicle and began negotiations, eventually agreeing on US$170 per kilogram for the ivory.

Kopa then left the vehicle, returning a few minutes later with Kuvhenguwa, who was carrying a satchel. The two joined Murisa and the undercover buyer in the vehicle.

Kuvhenguwa allegedly produced two pieces of ivory from the satchel and offered them for sale. Once payment was requested, the undercover officer gave a signal, prompting the backup team to move in.

The detectives identified themselves and recovered the ivory pieces from the suspects' laps. Upon being asked to produce permits or licenses authorizing possession of ivory, the trio failed to do so and were arrested on the spot.

A Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority official later confirmed the items were raw, unmarked ivory weighing 2.75 kilograms.

The case is now pending further proceedings.