By ZBC
Mozambican nationals have been convicted for illegally possessing elephant tusks, a live pangolin and breaking immigration laws. Santo Kamu (38) and Lazarus Chihowa (32) from Mangwe in Mozambique were this Tuesday sentenced to different prison sentences after being found in possession of ivory and a live pangolin which they intended to sell.
Kamu was sentenced to a nine-year jail term while Chihowa will spend three years behind bars in prison for possession of the elephant tusks and a pangolin were also fined $200 dollars each by Guruve magistrate Shingirai Mutiro for border jumping.
According to the State, on September 18, members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police working with ZimParks officials went to De Souza village in Mushumbi area after getting a tip-off to the effect that, the duo was selling ivory and a pangolin.
Police disguised as buyers lured the now convicted persons into a car with the valuables before identifying themselves and arresting them after they failed to produce their travel documents and licenses to validate their possession of the ivory and pangolin.
Meanwhile, another Mozambican duo has also been remanded in custody for illegally possessing elephant tusks weighing 10 kilograms. The state alleges that Karemba Posani (40) and Ronal Benjamin, who entered the country through the Chidodo area, were arrested after they mistakenly approached Zimparks officials in Mushumbi intending to establish a market for the ivory.
