Couple arrested for possessing raw ivory

Zim Now Writer

A couple from Chiredzi, Innocent Chiwanza, 28, and Angeline Sithole, 22, residents of Farm 25 in Hippo Valley, were arrested after being found with raw elephant ivory.

The couple was captured following a midnight raid on March 6, 2024, by game rangers from Malilangwe Trust.

The duo was remanded in custody by magistrate Diana Masiiwa pending further hearing today.

Prosecutor Moreblessing Rusere said that besides the elephant tusks, the rangers also found two spears, arrows, a knife and other tools.

“Acting on credible intelligence, three rangers conducted a thorough search of the suspects’ residence, uncovering not only the elephant remains but also potential tools of their illicit trade.

“Wrapped in a non-descript plastic bag, one of the elephant tusks was found in Chiwanza’s house, a stark symbol of the grotesque trade.

“This is not merely wildlife contraband; it’s a relic of a living creature that suffered greatly,” explained an ecologist involved in verifying the ivory. The couple’s defence that the tusk was a spiritual protector provided by their church — has been met with skepticism.

“The claim that this ivory piece was given for protection at an apostolic shrine is not only unusual but also alarming, considering the implications it has for both wildlife conservation and local religious practices,” Rusere explained.

A Malilangwe Trust spokesperson said: “Each piece of ivory represents a dead elephant and a step closer to the extinction of these majestic creatures. It is imperative that we stop these criminals who are stripping our earth of its natural heritage for mere profit.

“The arrest of Chiwanza and Sithole is not an isolated incident but a snapshot of a pervasive problem affecting wildlife across Africa and the globe. The illegal ivory trade thrives on the exploitation of natural resources and the decimation of animal populations”.