News / Africa
Police seize R1.6 million ivory in luxury bus
17 Oct 2013 at 16:43hrs | Views
SOUTH African police smashed a Zimbabwean ivory smuggling syndicate when they intercepted a luxury cross-border bus at their border carrying four elephant tusks worth R1,6 million.
They arrested two bus drivers for smuggling the tusks through Beitbridge Border Post.
Police spokesperson for Limpopo Province Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the two men, James Nyirenda (41) and Langton Saka (40) were arrested on Sunday evening at Beitbridge Border Post on the South African side following the interception of their bus belonging to Citi-Liner Coaches.
"We arrested two Zimbabwean bus drivers on Sunday evening following the interception of their bus at Beitbridge Border Post. Our officers conducted a search and they discovered four elephant tusks hidden in a secret compartment and all passengers in the bus disowned the contraband.
"We suspect these people have been operating as an organised syndicate smuggling ivory from Zimbabwe. We are working with our Zimbabwean counterparts in the fight against poaching following sharp a rise in the killings of elephants at Hwange National Park," said Brig Mulaudzi.
Nyirenda and Saka appeared at the Musina magistrates' courts on Tuesday facing smuggling charges and illegal possession of ivory.
Nyirenda was fined R8 000 or four years in jail while charges against Saka were withdrawn due to lack of evidence linking him to the offence.
A total of 106 elephants have so far been killed by cyanide poisoning poachers at the Hwange National Park. According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, fresh poaching activities have been detected at Chezhou area in Hwange District under Chief Nekatambe where eight vultures have also succumbed to cyanide poisoning.
The merciless killing of elephants and other wildlife species at the game park made international headlines with leaders from all over the country condemning the practice.
Soon after its detection the Government reacted swiftly and appointed an eight member ministerial task force team led by the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, to investigate the issue and take appropriate measures.
The Government has also indicated it was considering deploying the military to beef up security at the park and protect wildlife.
Rehabilitation efforts to de-toxicate the affected areas are also underway as the Government seeks to ensure that poisoning does not affect human beings and livestock.
They arrested two bus drivers for smuggling the tusks through Beitbridge Border Post.
Police spokesperson for Limpopo Province Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the two men, James Nyirenda (41) and Langton Saka (40) were arrested on Sunday evening at Beitbridge Border Post on the South African side following the interception of their bus belonging to Citi-Liner Coaches.
"We arrested two Zimbabwean bus drivers on Sunday evening following the interception of their bus at Beitbridge Border Post. Our officers conducted a search and they discovered four elephant tusks hidden in a secret compartment and all passengers in the bus disowned the contraband.
"We suspect these people have been operating as an organised syndicate smuggling ivory from Zimbabwe. We are working with our Zimbabwean counterparts in the fight against poaching following sharp a rise in the killings of elephants at Hwange National Park," said Brig Mulaudzi.
Nyirenda and Saka appeared at the Musina magistrates' courts on Tuesday facing smuggling charges and illegal possession of ivory.
Nyirenda was fined R8 000 or four years in jail while charges against Saka were withdrawn due to lack of evidence linking him to the offence.
A total of 106 elephants have so far been killed by cyanide poisoning poachers at the Hwange National Park. According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, fresh poaching activities have been detected at Chezhou area in Hwange District under Chief Nekatambe where eight vultures have also succumbed to cyanide poisoning.
The merciless killing of elephants and other wildlife species at the game park made international headlines with leaders from all over the country condemning the practice.
Soon after its detection the Government reacted swiftly and appointed an eight member ministerial task force team led by the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, to investigate the issue and take appropriate measures.
The Government has also indicated it was considering deploying the military to beef up security at the park and protect wildlife.
Rehabilitation efforts to de-toxicate the affected areas are also underway as the Government seeks to ensure that poisoning does not affect human beings and livestock.
Source - Byo24News
