Six arrested for ivory, firearms possession

POLICE in Hwange have arrested six men, one of them a Zambian, after they were found in possession of raw ivory, elephant meat and firearms.

The suspects were arrested in the Kamativi area.

Elijah Phiri, Amos Mudenda, Laimon Mudimba, Patrick Mudenda, Edwin Munsaka, the Zambian and Lizwe Munenge were arrested by an anti-poaching team comprising Zimbabwe Parks and Wildife Management Authority rangers from Bulawayo and Hwange and police at the Gwayi River near Kamativi.

The anti-poaching team had received a tip-off that there were some people in possession of elephant tusks and a .375 rifle as well as an AK-47.

The team swooped in and caught the six with four tusks and the two firearms. The accused were looking for buyers for the ivory.

The six were also found with three axes, pots and elephant meat, raising suspicion of illegal hunting activities in the area.

Phiri (36) of Manzasiya Village in Kamativi under Chief Pashu, Mudenda (65) of Chibanda Village in Chief Saba area,

Mudimba (49) of Siamwaaka Village in Simbala under Chief Saba, Patrick Mudenda (67) of Siantungwana Village in Siachilaba under Chief Siachilaba all in Binga, and Munenge, age not given of Kanjezya Village in Musuna area in Hwange, as well as Munsaka (32) of Kafwambila Village in Kalomo District, Zambia were charged with unlawful possession of elephant tusks and illegal possession of firearms when they appeared before Hwange magistrate Mr Tomupei Zhou.

Phiri, who is represented by Mr Givemore Muvhiringi of Muvhiringi and Associates, made an application for discharge as he pleaded not guilty while Munsaka, represented by Ms Charity Manyeza of Mhaka Attorneys, pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful possession of raw unmarked elephant ivory and not guilty to unlawful possession of fire arms.

The others pleaded not guilty and were not represented.

They were all remanded in custody to Wednesday.

Meanwhile, appearing before the same court, Siphelile Mathe of Hwange was sentenced to nine years imprisonment on his own plea of guilty to unlawful possession of raw unmarked elephant ivory. -@ ncubeleon