Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
THREE men appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court facing charges of unlawful possession and attempted sale of 12 pieces of raw, unmarked ivory valued at US$3 876.
The accused, Nacious Chikoposa (37), Sylvester Mangaya (29), and Ezra Chikwenya (38), were arraigned before regional magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo.
The trio was charged under the Parks and Wildlife Act for possessing and attempting to sell the ivory without the required permits.
The case was remanded to February 16 for the commencement of their trial. Detective Sergeant Kemusi from the CID Minerals, Flora, and Fauna Unit, Harare, is representing the State, with Prosecutor Mrs Heather Mhlanga-Muokoto handling the matter.
According to court documents, the accused were intercepted during an undercover operation carried out by detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora, and Fauna Unit.
Acting on a tip-off, the detectives set up a meeting with the accused, who were allegedly looking for buyers for their illegal ivory stock.
On January 27, 2026, at around 9 am, the undercover detectives met the accused at Velvet Service Station along Marimba Road in Budiriro 5, Harare.
During negotiations, the accused offered to sell the ivory for US$230 per kilogramme and disclosed that the ivory was stored in Budiriro 5.
Chikwenya remained at the service station while Chikoposa and Mangaya accompanied the detectives to collect the ivory.
Chikoposa retrieved a grey suitcase containing the ivory and returned with Mangaya to the Velvet Service Station.
Upon arrival, Mangaya joined Chikwenya near the service station, while Chikoposa remained in the vehicle with the suitcase.
The detectives requested to see the ivory before finalising the deal. Chikoposa produced a white sack tied with a red electric cable, revealing the contents to be raw ivory.
This prompted the undercover officers to signal their backup team, who moved in, identified themselves, and arrested the suspects.
Chikoposa was unable to produce a permit or license authorising the possession or sale of ivory.
Following his arrest, the officers also apprehended Mangaya and Chikwenya, who had been waiting nearby.
The 12 pieces of recovered ivory weighed 22.80 kilogrammes and were valued at US$3 876.
