Five people accused of unlawfully possessing and attempting to sell two raw, unmarked elephant tusks weighing 21.8 kilograms have been remanded in custody.
The suspects — Justice Chikodze, Sarah Katumba, Abraham Blahim, Daniel Mamvura, and Takunda Munengami — were remanded in custody until October 21, 2025, by magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai.
According to prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu, police received a tip-off that the accused were in possession of ivory and were actively seeking buyers.
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A trap was set, and an undercover officer posed as a potential buyer. Chikodze was picked up by the officer at the Trabablas Interchange along Chitungwiza Road and taken to Mega Shopping Centre, where he met his accomplices.
After a brief discussion, Chikodze informed the officer that the ivory was stored in Chitungwiza. Blahim then proceeded to Chitungwiza to collect the ivory from Katumba’s residence in Zengeza 3 Extension.
The suspects were later arrested at Margolis turn-off along Chitungwiza Road after the undercover officer signaled the backup team.
Police recovered two elephant tusks wrapped in a multi-coloured cloth, a brown cloth, and a blue blanket, with an estimated value of US$3,600.
The suspects face charges of unlawful possession of raw ivory and remain in custody as investigations continue.
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