Crime Reporter
TWO men have been arrested in Bulawayo after they were found in possession of 18,25kg of ivory worth thousands of dollars.
The two suspects, Gilbert Mathe (45) and Chamunorwa Chikosha (46), were intercepted by police who were carrying out stop-and-searches as well as enforcing Covid-19 regulations in the city.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests.
He said police in Bulawayo arrested the two along 6th Avenue extension near ZRP Mzilikazi, for illegal possession of ivory.
“The suspects, who were carrying ivory weighing 18,25 kg in a satchel, were arrested by the police who were carrying out stop and searches as well as enforcing Covid-19 regulations,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi warned poachers that police had deployed adequate manpower to thwart such illegal activities.
Last month, a 33-year-old man was arrested in Hwange after being found in possession of elephant tusks worth US$20 000.
The suspect, Bokisi Augustine, was arrested following a tip-off.
Bokisi was arrested at St Mary’s Village for illegally possessing an elephant tusk weighing 11,79 kg worth US$2 000.
Police in Bulawayo have also arrested Leon Dube (32) for theft of paint at Mpilo Hospital. The arrest led to the recovery of 6×5 litre paint from the suspect who is a technician employed by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.



