Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A CHINESE national was arraigned in court on Friday for allegedly possessing three rhinoceros horns valued at US$240 000 and four pieces of raw ivory without the required permits.
Cong Yanzhong appeared before Harare regional magistrate, Mr Donald Ndirowei, facing charges of violating the Parks and Wildlife Act.
He was accused of unlawfully possessing the horns and ivory and failing to produce a valid permit for their possession or sale.
The court advised Cong to apply for bail at the High Court. He is set to return to court on July 22.
Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that on July 16, detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) in Harare received a tip-off from an informant alleging that Cong was dealing in wildlife products.
The informant claimed that Cong was travelling to Shangri-La Complex in Highlands, Harare, in a red Honda Fit.
Acting on the tip, five detectives proceeded to Shangri-La Complex and placed the area under surveillance.
At around 2.40pm, detectives observed the red Honda Fit arriving. Cong, who matched the informant’s description, exited the vehicle carrying a black satchel and a brown carrier bag.
Before the detectives could apprehend him, Cong entered an unregistered silver Honda Fit and sat in the front passenger seat.
The vehicle drove towards The Grange area and detectives followed closely. Cong was dropped off at a house in The Grange.
As he opened the gate to enter the property, detectives confronted him and identified themselves.
A search of the satchel, conducted with Cong’s consent, revealed three rhinoceros horns, each wrapped in transparent plastic.
When asked to produce a permit or licence authorising their possession, Cong failed to do so, leading to his arrest.
Following the arrest, Cong led detectives to his residence.
At the house, a subsequent search of the premises uncovered four pieces of raw ivory in the dining room.
Two pieces were on a weighing scale, while the other two rested on top of brown sacks, which appeared to have been used for transportation.
Cong again failed to provide documentation authorising possession of the ivory.
Mr Jeremiah Chakuya, a ZimParks official, confirmed that the recovered items included three rhino horns weighing a total of 7,70kg valued at US$240 000.
Four pieces of raw ivory, weighing 36,15kg and valued at US$6 145,50.
