Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent
A Chinese national has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for illegally possessing three rhinoceros horns and four pieces of raw ivory valued at US$246 000.
Cong Yanzhong was convicted on two counts of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act, which prohibits the possession of protected animal products without proper authority.
Magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni handed down the sentence at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts following a detailed trial led by prosecutor Blessed Songozo.
The court heard that on July 16, 2025, detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit received a tip-off that Cong was in possession of wildlife contraband and was expected to visit the Shangri-La Complex in Highlands, Harare.
Surveillance was set up, and at around 2:40 pm, Cong was spotted arriving in a red Honda Fit carrying a black satchel and a brown carrier bag.
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He later entered an unregistered silver Honda Fit, which dropped him at a residence in The Grange.
As Cong attempted to open the gate to the property, detectives approached and searched him with his consent. Inside his bags, they discovered three rhinoceros horns wrapped in transparent plastic.
He failed to produce any permits or documentation for their possession.
A follow-up search at his residence uncovered four pieces of raw ivory — two placed on a weighing scale and two hidden in brown sacks. Cong again failed to provide legal documents for the items.
According to ZimParks official Jeremiah Chakuya, the rhino horns weighed 7.7kg and were valued at US$240,000, while the ivory pieces weighed 36.15kg and were worth US$6,145.50.
Cong will serve an effective 18-year prison term, with the magistrate stressing the seriousness of wildlife crimes and the need to deter syndicates involved in the illegal trade of endangered species.
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