adminMercy Ngwebvu
TWO Chimanimani men ran out of luck last week when they attempted to sell an elephant task worth $1 100 to a police detective who subsequently arrested them. The duo, Spring Rurumwa (37) and Dominic Chorera (49) appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Nyasha Kuture for contravening Section 45 of the Parks and Wildlife Act (keeping or having in possession any trophy of a specially protected animal).
They were not asked to plead, but were warned that if they were to be found guilty, the offence carried a nine-year mandatory jail term.
Prosecuting, Mr Shepherd Chavarika told the court that at around 9am on Sunday, Chorera was at Kwirire Primary School where he approached Detective Constable Zhou with the intentions of selling the ivory, not knowing that he was speaking to a police officer.
“In his desperate bid to find a buyer for their ivory, Chorera approached Detective Constable Zhou hoping to strike a deal.
“Zhou, who is stationed in Chipinge, pretended to show interest in the ivory and was led to Rurumwa’s homestead where he intended to inspect it before ‘buying.’ When they got to Rurumwa’s place, the ivory was hidden under the mattress of his bed for safekeeping,” said Mr Chavarika.
Detective Constable Zhou immediately arrested the two and recovered the ivory. When weighed at Chimanimani Post Office, the ivory weighed 4kg and measured 71 centimetres.
Chorera and his accomplice will be back in the dock today (Friday).
Online Reporter