Man in court for possessing ivory

Court Correspondent

A 53-YEAR-OLD man from Hopley, Harare, arrested after being found in possession of an elephant tusk worth US$700, appeared in court yesterday.

Taurai Sakuinje was charged with possession of ivory and denied bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi. 

He was remanded to February 29 and was advised to approach the High Court for bail. 

Prosecutor, Mr Rufaro Chonzi alleged that on February 13, detectives heard Sakuinje had raw ivory and was looking for potential buyers.

Acting on the information, the detectives went to Hopley Zone 4 where they set up surveillance on his house. 

At around 9am, the detectives spotted Sakuinje leaving his house holding a black bag and the detectives intercepted him along Chitungwiza Road and searched his bag. 

Parks and Wildlife was summoned to CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit, Harare where they examined the recovered ivory. 

It weighed 4,2 kg and was valued at US$714.