Lupane trio arrested for illegal possession of ivory

Providence Moyo

Police have apprehended three individuals from Lupane for alleged possession of 64 kilograms of ivory valued at US$4 480.

The suspects, identified as Jabulani Dube, 41, of Lobengula Suburb, Lupane; Dedani Sibanda, 33, of Masungamala Village, Lupane; and Dumisani Tshuma, 30, of Shambula Village, were arrested on January the 20th following a tip-off. Bulawayo Police Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident to Community Podium.

“On the 19th of January 2024 at around 1900 hours, Detectives from CID Vehicle Theft Squad, Bulawayo received information to the effect that the accused persons were in possession of elephant tusks at Lupane and wanted to transport them to Bulawayo where they intended to sell them,” Ncube said. “On the 20th of January 2024 at around 0500 hours, the detectives reacted to the information and proceeded to Umguza tollgate where the accused persons were supposed to meet the intended buyer. They spotted the accused persons disembarking from a truck carrying two sacks which were concealing the ivory. The truck was coming from Hwange enroute to Bulawayo. The detectives then approached the accused persons who were now standing by the side of the road and introduced themselves. The police detectives then requested to search the accused persons and their two by 50 kilograms sacks. They then recovered 05 pieces of unmarked raw ivory in one of the sacks and 07 pieces of unmarked Ivory on the other sack. The accused persons were asked to produce a license or a permit authorising them to be in possession of the raw unmarked ivory and they failed to produce. The ivory weighed 64 kilograms valued at US$4 480.”

Ncube expressed gratitude to the public for their contribution in fighting crime. “We would like to appreciate members of the public for the faith they have in their police service and supplying this vital information that that led to the arrest of the accused person,” Ncube said.