5 in court over 27kg ivory

Zim Now Writer

A five-member gang appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with the illegal possession of ivory with a street value of US$5 000.

The five, Edwell Jori, Taurai Chinembiri, Josephine Rungwe, Portion Zhuga and Last Mawurikira were not asked to plead.

It is the State’s case that on February 13, detectives from the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit received a tip-off that the gang was looking for a potential buyer for the ivory they reportedly were in possession of.

The police went to Kuwadzana where they conducted surveillance, and saw the five in a Toyota Hiace.

The cops approached the gang before searching the vehicle where they found four elephant tusks stashed in a white sack.

They failed to produce a licence for the ivory, which weighed 26.9kg, leading to their arrest.