Man arrested with elephant tusks

A 33-year-old man has been arrested in Hwange for possessing elephant tusks worth US$20 000 while 100 000 other suspects have been nabbed for border jumping and illegal mining activities.

The suspect Bokisi Augustine was arrested following a tip off from the public.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest.

“On September 20, 2021, police in Hwange arrested Bokisi Augustine aged 33, at St Mary’s Village for illegally possessing an elephant tusk weighing 11.79kgs and valued at US$2 000,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi warned poachers that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, police arrested 243 people throughout the country for cross boarder related crimes.

“Following the arrests of the 243, the cumulative arrests now stand at 50 301 since operation, “No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni Yamashango/ Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe,” began in January 2021,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

Meanwhile, police also arrested 80 people across the country for engaging in illegal mining activities.

So far 48 235 arrests have been made under the operation, Chikorokoza Ngachipere/ Isitsheketsha Kasiphele And No To Machete Gangs”.

In a related matter, eight gold panners who were recently arrested while searching for gold along Mazowe River, at Dillion farm, Shamva have been fined $40 000 each by a Bindura Magistrate.

The suspects appeared in court this week. Asst Comm Nyathi confirmed the developments.

“The ZRP confirms the arrest of eight suspects who were found mining alluvial gold along the Mazowe River, at Dillion farm, Shamva. The suspects have since appeared before Bindura Magistrate where they were sentenced to a fine of $40 000 each,” he said.

In September last year, gangs armed with machetes and knobkerries resurfaced countrywide, targeting mines and individuals keeping large amounts of cash, prompting police to relaunch “Operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere” and “No to Machete Wielding Gangs”.

This came a few months just after police had restored order in mining areas after taking on the gangs, arresting large numbers and thwarting a wave of violence.

That gang-land violence claimed the lives of several people and left many injured.

Criminal activities by the marauding gangs of machete attackers have seen reports of murder, rape, assault, housebreaking and stock theft.