A Harare man, Amos Tambaoga Chidembo, 43, has been sentenced to nine years in prison by the Guruve Magistrates’ Court after being convicted of unlawful possession of ivory, in contravention of the Parks and Wildlife Act.
The conviction follows a sting operation on February 4, 2024, when detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Bindura received a tip-off regarding individuals selling ivory in the Mushumbi Pools area.
Working with officers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, law enforcement posed as buyers and arranged a meeting with Chidembo at Katumba Village, Shange area.
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Chidembo, accompanied by Tonderai Zhangazha, arrived carrying a white sack and led the undercover officers under a bridge along the Mushumbi-Kanongo road. He produced two ivory tusks and attempted to negotiate a price of US$70 per kilogram.
When detectives revealed their identities and requested the necessary permits, Chidembo was unable to produce any documentation and was immediately arrested.
The tusks were weighed at the Guruve ZimPost in Chidembo’s presence, registering 14.93kg and 14.31kg, with a combined market value of US$4,970.80. Further investigations included a forensic examination of Chidembo’s mobile phone by the CID Cyber Laboratory, which uncovered messages linking him directly to the trafficking operation.
Following a full trial, Chidembo was found guilty and handed an effective nine-year prison sentence, highlighting the courts’ ongoing efforts to clamp down on wildlife crime.
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