Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A FUGITIVE suspected ivory dealer, who absconded after being granted bail, has been rearrested after police tracked him down using technology-assisted investigations.
Sign Siayowa (39), of Samendi Siyamajiti Village under Chief Sikalenge in Binga, appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Lisah Mutendereki, who revoked his bail and remanded him in custody pending the commencement of his trial.
Siayowa is jointly charged with John Dzingai Manomano (33), Charity Kowo (41), Panashe Graham Sithole (21) and Tanaka Mutopo (23) on allegations of unlawful possession of unmarked raw ivory and a hippopotamus tooth.
The State is the complainant.
According to the prosecution, detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) in Harare received information on February 7, 2026, that the accused persons were in possession of ivory and wildlife trophies which they intended to sell in Harare.
Acting on the tip-off, one of the detectives posed as a prospective buyer after obtaining Manomano’s contact details.
The undercover officer arranged to meet the suspects in the Avenues area to negotiate the transaction.
Later that morning, Manomano informed the purported buyer that the group was waiting at Bronte Hotel along Baines Avenue. A surveillance team proceeded to the area in two vehicles, while the undercover detective arrived separately.
Manomano was invited into the purported buyer’s vehicle, accompanied by Siayowa, where they allegedly demanded US$1 400 per kilogramme of ivory. They also indicated that the price of the hippopotamus tooth would be negotiated after it had been inspected.
The undercover officer requested to see the wildlife products and was directed to three accomplices waiting nearby in a Honda Fit.
The vehicle, driven by Mutopo, pulled alongside the purported buyer’s car.
The remaining accused allegedly retrieved a white sack containing the contraband before handing it over for inspection. As Manomano and Siayowa displayed the exhibits, detectives moved in and arrested the suspects.
Although some of the accused allegedly attempted to flee, they were apprehended. Police recovered 5,5 kilogrammes of unmarked raw ivory valued at US$1 164,50, together with a hippopotamus tooth valued at US$1 000.
