By Yeukai Karengezeka – The Herald
FIVE suspects appeared in court on Wednesday on charges of unlawfully possessing and attempting to sell two raw, unmarked elephant tusks weighing 21,8 kilogrammes.
The suspects, identified as Justice Chikodze, Sarah Katumba, Abraham Blahim, Daniel Mamvura, and Takunda Munengami, were remanded in custody until October 21 by Harare provincial magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai.
Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu told the court that police received a tip-off that the accused had ivory in the Stoneridge area of Harare and were looking for buyers.
The police set a trap to apprehend the suspects.
On October 13, at around 8 am, one of the detectives contacted Chikodze, who revealed that he was at Trabablas Interchange along Chitungwiza Road.
Acting on this information, a team of five detective sergeants mobilised two vehicles and headed to the Mega Shopping Centre in Stoneridge.
One vehicle was driven by an undercover officer posing as a buyer, while the other carried the surveillance team.
Chikodze was picked up by the undercover officer at Trabablas Interchange and taken to Mega Shopping Centre where he met with his accomplices.
After a brief discussion with the group, Chikodze returned to the undercover officer, stating that the ivory was stored in Chitungwiza.
Blahim then proceeded to Chitungwiza in a hired vehicle to collect the ivory from Katumba’s residence in Zengeza 3 Extension.
The two later drove to Margolis turn-off along Chitungwiza Road to meet the purported buyer.
Upon arrival, Chikodze and the other suspects disembarked from their vehicles.
As Chikodze opened the boot of a Toyota Passo to weigh the ivory, the undercover officer signalled the backup team.
The detectives quickly moved in, arresting the suspects and recovering two elephant tusks.
The tusks, wrapped in a multi-colored cloth, brown cloth, and blue blanket, were confirmed to be raw, unmarked ivory weighing 21,8 kilogrammes.
The ivory has an estimated value of US$3 600. The five suspects now face charges of unlawful possession of raw ivory and remain in custody as investigations continue.
