Poachers caught selling elephant tusks in Kamitivi

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Five suspected poachers were arrested while searching for buyers for four elephant tusks and a tail in Kamativi.

The poaching syndicate’s luck ran out after residents tipped police about their presence in the small town on Wednesday.

“On 27/04/22, Police in Hwange arrested Amos Mudenda (65), Patrick Mudenda (67), Liason Mudimba (49), Edwin Munsaka (32), and Lizwe Munenge (42) for being found in possession of raw unmarked ivory without a permit,” police said in a statement.

“Detectives acted on the received information and pounced on the suspects, who were searching for elephant tusk buyers in the Kamativi area leading to the arrest of the gang.”

The four were armed with guns, jungle knives, loose rounds of ammunition and axes.

“The suspects were searched and four elephant tusks with an estimated weight of 13 kilogrammes, a fresh elephant tail, an AK47 with a magazine of 26 rounds and 29 AK47 loose rounds, a 375 rifle loaded with nine rounds, five 375 rifle loose rounds, four axes, and five jungle knives were recovered,” police added.

“The suspects will appear in court soon.”

Zimbabwe has been witnessing an upsurge in poaching cases with elephants and rhinos being the major targets.

Police on Monday said a carcass of a rhino was discovered at Three Sisters Farm Matobo with its horn, tail, and both ears missing.