FOUR men were arrested after detectives received information that they were carrying raw ivory in their vehicle.
Lot Sibanda (55), Collen Shoko (42) and Denis Moyo (55) were convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison.
The fourth culprit, Enock Mhlanga (65) defaulted to attend court on 23 December 2022 when the trio was convicted and sentenced.
However, Mhlanga, who resides in Bulawayo at Malindela suburb appeared before provincial Magistrate Mr Toendepi Zhou in Hwange last Tuesday for trial. In his defence, Mhlanga also claimed to have been returning the ivory to Zimparks officials. However, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to the mandatory nine years in prison.
The state represented by Ms Jamesina Erica Makanza said that on 27 June 2021 police received information that a Toyata Hilux twin cab vehicle had on board four men illegally carrying ivory.
The accused persons were travelling from Cross Dete, Hwange headed towards Gwayi River along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road. Police patrolled along the route driving a non police marked vehicle.
At around 1.30 am and at 273km peg Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway, detectives noticed the car parked at a lay by on the opposite lane facing Bulawayo direction.
The vehicle engine was running with hazard lights on. The detectives surrounded the vehicle and identified themselves to the four. Detectives searched the vehicle and recovered four pieces of raw ivory
partially covered with a white sack on the back seat.
The tusks were later weighed and had a total of 4.5kgs. The four were arrested as they had no permit allowing them to carry ivory. – Sunday News
