News / National
Four men arrested in possession of elephant tusks
19 Apr 2011 at 18:13hrs | Views
Four Harare men were last week arrested at Avondale shopping centre for possession of 15 elephant tusks valued at US$8 500.
The four suspected poachers were arrested last week on Thursday following a tip off to the police by the people who suspected the men of possessing weapons.
Police spokesperson, Inspector James Sabau said the four, 42-year old George Chatanga, 37-year old Shepherd Naite, 31-year old Farai Dzvairo, all from Chitungwiza, and 47-year old Glen Norah-based Kenneth Sibanda, were caught at the shopping centre carrying two bags one with vuvuzela's and another with the elephant tusks.
The bag with vuvuzelas was meant to deceive people about the real contents of the other bag with the tusks.
One of the arrested men was found in possession of keys belonging to a commuter omnibus which is suspected to have ferried the tusks to Avondale shopping centre.
The crime that led to the arrest of the four, falls under Section 128 of the Parks and Wildlife Act Chapter 20:14 that gives special protection to all animals or particular species of animal against hunting, removal, viewing and sale of animal products.
According to police investigations the elephant tusks which weigh 33kg's and are valued at US$8 500 are said to have been allegedly poached from Sanyati and Gokwe.
The four suspected poachers were arrested last week on Thursday following a tip off to the police by the people who suspected the men of possessing weapons.
Police spokesperson, Inspector James Sabau said the four, 42-year old George Chatanga, 37-year old Shepherd Naite, 31-year old Farai Dzvairo, all from Chitungwiza, and 47-year old Glen Norah-based Kenneth Sibanda, were caught at the shopping centre carrying two bags one with vuvuzela's and another with the elephant tusks.
One of the arrested men was found in possession of keys belonging to a commuter omnibus which is suspected to have ferried the tusks to Avondale shopping centre.
The crime that led to the arrest of the four, falls under Section 128 of the Parks and Wildlife Act Chapter 20:14 that gives special protection to all animals or particular species of animal against hunting, removal, viewing and sale of animal products.
According to police investigations the elephant tusks which weigh 33kg's and are valued at US$8 500 are said to have been allegedly poached from Sanyati and Gokwe.
Source - Byo24News
