Beatrice Man Jailed Nine Years for Illegal Ivory Possession

 

A Beatrice man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after he was caught by undercover detectives attempting to sell raw elephant tusks at the Southlea Park turn-off along the Harare–Masvingo Highway, with Parks officials confirming the ivory was unmarked and weighed 9.65 kilograms.

Fradreck Magwere (42), of Nyambiri Farm in Beatrice, was convicted by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for unlawful possession of raw, unmarked ivory.

The court heard that on January 8, 2026, detectives acting on a tip-off conducted a sting operation at the Southlea Park turn-off, posing as potential buyers.

After negotiating a price of US$70 per kilogram, Magwere produced the ivory for inspection, prompting an immediate arrest by a backup police team.

During the arrest, officers recovered two elephant tusks weighing 9.65 kilograms, with an estimated value of US$1,640.50.

Officials from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority confirmed that the ivory was raw and unmarked.

Although Magwere pleaded not guilty, the court convicted him after finding no special circumstances warranting a lesser sentence.