The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has made a major breakthrough in the fight against wildlife crime, arresting four suspects in Harare for unlawful possession of ivory.
According to a police statement, on 30 May 2025, detectives from the ZRP CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit acted on a tip-off and apprehended Masauso Nevhaya (48), Priscilla Chabata (52), Wonder Bozho (51), and Stanford Mbiriyakura (49). The suspects were allegedly looking for potential buyers for the illegal ivory when they were intercepted in Braeside, along Seke Road, near Telecel Zimbabwe.
Police recovered 35 elephant tusks, weighing 237 kilograms, which had been packed into brown sacks and loaded into a Datsun Go vehicle. Further investigations led detectives to the residence of Priscilla Chabata, where they recovered an additional six tusks.
The ZRP praised the operation, emphasizing their commitment to curbing wildlife trafficking, which not only threatens Zimbabwe’s rich biodiversity but also violates international conservation laws.
