Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
TWO men have been arrested and convicted for digging up and tampering with railway tracks in Zvishavane.
Chenjerai Hove (28) of Shanhayi Village under Chief Mazvihwa and Pardon Nyoni (27) of James Village under Chief Mafa, were each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after their conviction.
In a statement, Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson, said the two were arrested on April 7, 2026, after they were found conducting illegal gold mining within 45 metres of the protected railway track area.
“Police detectives recovered three chisels, three shovels and two metal detectors which were being used by the accused persons to prospect for gold,” said Det- Insp Muteweri.
The statement further stated that on April 9, 2026, the accused persons appeared before Zvishavane Magistrate Ms Rachel Mukanga, with the State represented by Ms Privilege Chikiwa. After hearing the case, the court sentenced both accused persons to five years’ imprisonment each.
In a separate incident, Det- Insp Muteweri said Shelton Mashapami (33) of Chinyika Village, Chief Zerere, Chinyika area (Mozambique), and Tears Ndlovu (49) of Glenforest, Phase B (Harare), were arrested for possession of raw unmarked ivory without a permit.
Det- Insp Muteweri explained that detectives received information that the suspects were selling ivory in the Glenforest area of Harare, intending to dispose of it to potential buyers.
“A potential buyer was created and lured the accused into a trap,” she said.
She added that a meeting was arranged for the deal, during which a yellow sack containing two pieces of raw, unmarked ivory was brought to the buyer for inspection and negotiations.
Police detectives then arrived and requested the accused persons to produce a permit authorising them to possess the ivory, but they had none, leading to their arrest.
The two pieces of recovered ivory weighed a total of 18kg and measured an average of 45 cm each. The recovered ivory had an estimated value of US$3,060.
On April 08, 2026, the accused appeared before Harare Magistrate Mrs Lisa Mutendereki, with Public Prosecutor Ms Polite Chikiwa representing the State.
The court found Mashapami and Ndlovu guilty, and each was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.
Detective Inspector Muteweri said the Zimbabwe Republic Police urged members of the public to use available reporting channels—such as hotlines, social media platforms, or their nearest police station—to share information on criminal activities within their communities.
