adminInnocent Nyakuswa (28), of House Number 10556 Kuwadzana, Extension, Harare, last week pleaded guilty to contravening Section 82 (1) of the Parks and Wildlife (General) regulations, 1990 Statutory Instrument 362 of 1990 as read with Section 128 (b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14 before Hwange resident magistrate Mr Collet Ncube.
One year of his sentence was suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
His co-accused Apinos Darlington Mudzamiri (51), the senior prison officer responsible for administration, of 6 Oakley Road, Hatfield, Harare and Tinotenda Mapanga (18), of House Number 1879 St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were further remanded in custody to 5 April.
Mr Tinomupeyi Mbiza, for the State told the court that on 9 March this year, at about 10 am, police officers were conducting a joint operation with Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers in a bid to curb cases of poaching in the Chitekete and Simuchembo areas in Gokwe.
During the operation, the teams came across a Mahindra pick-up truck with registration GLL 4022 used by the trio and Maseve Shava, who is still at large, in the Simuchembo area.
The team stopped the vehicle and identified themselves as police officers and parks rangers. They told the quartet the purpose of the operation and requested to search their vehicle.
As the team was about to search the vehicle, Shava immediately took to his heels and disappeared into a nearby bush.
The team searched the vehicle and recovered eight elephant tusks hidden behind one of the vehicle seats. They were then arrested.
The eight tusks weighed 27,8kg and were valued at $6 960,50.
Online Reporter