Tusks in Trouble: Five Remanded Over Ivory Haul

Five suspects have been remanded in custody in Harare for allegedly trafficking two raw elephant tusks weighing 21.8kg (image source)

Harare — Five suspects appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on Wednesday and were remanded in custody until October 21 on charges of unlawfully possessing and attempting to sell two raw, unmarked elephant tusks weighing a combined 21.8 kilograms. The accused — Justice Chikodze, Sarah Katumba, Abraham Blahim, Daniel Mamvura and Takunda Munengami — face charges under Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Act for trafficking protected wildlife products.

Prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu told the court that police acted on a tip-off indicating the accused were seeking buyers for the tusks in Harare’s Stoneridge suburb.

“We set a trap using an undercover officer who posed as a potential purchaser,” Jambawu said. “Chikodze arranged to meet the decoy at the Trabablas Interchange before leading investigators to the others.”

Chikodze was arrested at the interchange, and officers later apprehended his four alleged accomplices at Mega Shopping Centre.

“It was a coordinated operation,” said Detective Inspector Linda Moyo, one of the lead investigators. “We recovered the ivory in two separate sacks hidden in a Datsun Go.”

Witnesses at the scene described a tense encounter.

“I saw plainclothes officers approach a man carrying two large sacks,” recalled commuter Charles Ndlovu. “They identified themselves as police and moved in swiftly. Everyone was startled.”

Passersby reportedly applauded when the arrests were made, expressing frustration over rampant wildlife crime.

Wildlife crime expert Dr. Elaine Chinyoka of the African Conservation Forum warned that local trafficking rings are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

“Criminal syndicates exploit porous border posts and weak enforcement,” she said. “Undercover operations like this are essential, but long-term deterrence requires harsher sentences and regional cooperation.”

Environmental lawyer Tendai Gundidza praised the swift police action but urged the courts to set a firm precedent.

“Zimbabwe must send a clear message — ivory poaching and trafficking will be met with maximum penalties,” he said. “Custodial sentences and asset forfeiture will disrupt organised crime networks.”

According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, at least 50 elephants were illegally killed in the country in 2024, with tusks smuggled through neighbouring states to Asian markets. Gundidza urged Parliament to ratify stricter wildlife trafficking laws before year-end.

Responding to public concern, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) announced plans to expand its Flora and Fauna Unit.

Commissioner Paul Nyathi said additional funding will support canine units, forensic analysis and intelligence sharing with Interpol.

“We are committed to dismantling networks behind ivory smuggling,” Nyathi stated.

Meanwhile, civil society groups are mobilising. The Environmental Lawyers Association plans to monitor the trial and publish a report on enforcement gaps.

“Transparency is key,” said spokesperson Ruth Makoni. “We want to see court records and sentencing guidelines made public to deter future offenders.”

As the five suspects remain in custody, conservationists and legal experts alike will be watching the proceedings closely. With Zimbabwe striving to safeguard its wildlife heritage, the outcome of this case could define the country’s stance on environmental crime and conservation justice.