Two men caught in possession of ivory, jailed

By Andile Mvundla

13.06.24

Two men from Bulawayo, Hluphani Austin Sibanda (60) and Ellmone Nkomo (49) were sentenced to 11 years and 9 years imprisonment by the Tredgold Magistrates Court on charges of contravening the Parks and Wildlife act in that they were found in possession of raw unmarked ivory.

The arrest took place on the 11th of April 2024 after the police received a tip-off to the effect that the accused persons were in possession of raw ivory and they were looking for buyers at Entumbane High School turnoff in Bulawayo.

The police acted on the tip-off and proceeded to the turnoff, where they identified the accused persons who were carrying a white sack. They approached the accused persons, identified themselves, and requested to search them, leading to the recovery of two pieces of raw ivory.

The accused persons failed to produce a permit, authorising them to be in possession of the ivory leading to their arrest. The ivory weighed 21,75kg.