Harare, (New Ziana) – Two Harare men have been sentenced to nine years in prison each after they were found in illegal possession of ivory.

Sadius Zimba (60) and Amon Chiwenga (46) were arrested on June 13 last year at Newlands Shopping Centre in Highlands, Harare, after police received a tip off that they were trying to sell the illegal ivory, according to a National Prosecution Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) X post.

The police conducted a search with the consent of the two and found a sack containing 16 pieces of polished ivory weighing 9.67 kg, valued at US$1 643.90.

Zimba and Chiwenga failed to produce a license or permit authorizing them to possess the ivory, leading to their arrest.

The men were convicted and given the mandatory sentence by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for contravening sections of the Parks and Wildlife Act.

New Ziana