Danisa Masuku
Two men from Bulawayo’s Emganwini suburb have been arrested after they were allegedly found in possession of 13,90 kgs of ivory worth over US$2 000.
According to a source the detectives received a tip-off that Melusi Mahlangu (27) and Justice Ndlovu (30) were carrying a sack containing an elephant tusk and were at an intersection along Plumtree Road near Donnington Police Station.
After that tip-off detectives rushed to the scene where they found the pair with a sack while waiting for transport.
As per the protocol they identified themselves and asked to search their sack and upon searching it they found the piece of ivory.
Detectives asked for a licence or a permit to prove that they legally possessed it as required by the law, but they failed to do so leading to their arrest.
Upon their arrest they revealed that they bought it from someone based in Hwange.
The piece of ivory was taken to an ecologist who weighed it and recorded a mass of 13, 90 kgs valued at US$2 363.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.
He applauded members of the community for supplying detectives with information that led to the arrest of the duo.