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over US$8 500 at Avondale Shopping Centre in Harare.
George Chatanga (42), Shepherd Naite (37), Farai Dzvairo (31), all of Chitungwiza and Kenneth Sibanda (47) of Glen Norah were arrested last week on Thursday at Avondale Shopping Centre following a tip off.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau yesterday said some members of the public spotted the quartet wandering aimlessly at the shopping centre.
“They became suspicious of their movements and phoned police who carried out surveillance.
“At first they thought that they were armed robbers, who were waiting to pounce on their targeted victim,” he said.
One of the suspects became suspicious and disappeared from the scene before police followed him until they arrested him.
He was questioned but could not reveal what they were doing at the shopping centre.
His co-suspects were also arrested by plain clothes policemen who were waylaying them.
A search was carried on the four and one of them was found in possession of car keys of a commuter omnibus that was parked nearby.
Police searched the kombi and discovered two bags, one full of vuvuzelas and the other had 15 elephant tusks weighing 33kg.
“They were then taken to Avondale Police Station for further investigations.
“The suspects are being charged for violating the Parks and Wildlife Act, that is unlawful possession or trading in ivory,” Insp Sabau said.
Investigations, he said, revealed that the ivory had come from Sanyati and Gokwe.
Insp Sabau urged members of the public to continue supplying them with information that might lead to the arrest of criminals to ensure a crime free environment.
“It is our hope that they will continue supplying us with information leading to the arrest of all criminals and the police will react swiftly to such information,” Insp Sabau said.
This year, several poachers have been shot and killed while others were arrested countrywide.