CID Sting Foils Illegal Ivory Deal

 

Three men, Nacious Chikoposa, 37, Sylvester Mangaya, 29, and Ezra Chikwenya, 38, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court facing charges of unlawful possession and attempted sale of 12 pieces of raw, unmarked ivory valued at US$3 876.

The trio was charged under the Parks and Wildlife Act for possessing and attempting to sell ivory without the required permits.

The accused were intercepted during an undercover operation carried out by detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit, acting on a tip-off.

On January 27, 2026, undercover detectives met the accused at Velvet Service Station along Marimba Road in Budiriro 5, Harare, where they were allegedly seeking buyers for the illegal ivory.

During negotiations, the accused reportedly offered to sell the ivory for US$230 per kilogramme and indicated that it was stored in Budiriro 5.

Chikwenya remained at the service station while Chikoposa and Mangaya accompanied the detectives to collect the ivory.

Chikoposa allegedly retrieved a grey suitcase containing the ivory and returned with Mangaya to Velvet Service Station.

Upon arrival, Mangaya joined Chikwenya near the service station while Chikoposa remained in the vehicle with the suitcase.

The detectives requested to see the ivory before finalising the deal, prompting Chikoposa to produce a white sack tied with a red electric cable, which revealed raw ivory.

The undercover officers then signalled their backup team, who moved in, identified themselves and arrested the suspects.

Chikoposa failed to produce a permit or licence authorising the possession or sale of ivory. Mangaya and Chikwenya, who were waiting nearby, were also arrested.

The 12 recovered pieces of ivory weighed 22.80 kilogrammes and were valued at US$3 876.