Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
FOUR suspected wildlife smugglers were nabbed in a dramatic takedown by CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna detectives on Thursday, 30 May.
Acting on a tip-off, the detectives swooped in on Masauso Nevhaya (48), Priscilla Chabata (52), Wonder Bozho (51) and Stanford Mbiriyakura (49) along Seke Road near Telecel Zimbabwe in Braeside, Harare.
The suspects, who were allegedly hunting for potential ivory buyers, were driving a Datsun Go packed with loot. In an official statement, police say they found 35 elephant tusks stuffed in brown sacks.
Further investigations led to the recovery of six more tusks, bringing the total haul to 41 pieces weighing 237 kilograms.
The quartet is facing charges of unlawful possession of ivory and is expected to appear in court soon. Authorities have praised the swift action, calling it a major blow to the illegal wildlife trade.
More to follow as the tusk-trafficking saga unfolds…
derick.khumalo