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Ivory Tusks

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
TWO villagers from Tsholotsho have been arrested after being found in possession of one elephant tusk.

Jayelane Sibanda (49) and Taboka Sibanda (30), both of Thula village, under chief Siphoso were ambushed by campfire rangers following a tip-off on Tuesday.

Three other tusks were allegedly taken to Botswana for sale by their accomplice, George Moyo of Village 17, Thembile area who is still at large.

Police are still investigating the matter and the two are due to appear in court soon.

Tsholotsho Campfire manager Mr Simelisizwe Sibanda confirmed the arrest of the two men.

“Two men have been arrested for possession of ivory. Following a tip-off, the two were found in possession of one elephant tusk, with three others having been taken by their accomplice. Further investigations revealed that Moyo owned a rifle.

“We warn members of the public to desist from poaching activities. Villagers should be careful not to be used by criminals who are into these criminal activities as possession of ivory attracts a jail term of nine years and above,” he said.

“We receive a lot of reports where villagers from the San community are caught unaware after being used in poaching activity. It is sad that many go to jail, leaving suffering families behind over deals which never benefited them at all,” he said.

A source close to investigations said a tip-off was given to two Zimparks rangers who work undercover in the district.

“On December 26, two undercover Zimparks rangers received information that the two were suspected to be in possession of a rifle and were allegedly linked to a number of poaching incidents in Hwange National Park.”

“On Tuesday, the rangers teamed up with campfire rangers and raided the suspects’ home. Nothing was found but further investigations revealed that the pair worked with a colleague, Moyo, who owned a rifle and was said to be in Botswana since September last year,” said the source.

“Further investigations on the following day led to the suspects revealing where they had hidden one elephant tusk and it was recovered. They stated that Moyo had taken three other tusks with him to Botswana.

“The suspects however, alleged that sometime in September they stumbled on two dead elephants in Bhejani area, just outside Hwange National Park, which they dehorned,” said the source. — @winnie_masara