By Moses Muchemwa, ZimEye.org

Bulawayo (ZimEye) – Tsholotsho district’s Chief Siphoso has been arrested for illegally dealing in ivory.

Chief Siphoso, born Alphius Msindazi was on the run for months after three men who had been nabbed by the police implicated him in the scandal.

The chief has since been dragged to court and was fined US$200 or face two months in prison, on Thursday.

Chief Siphoso (41) of 7141/5 Pumula North pleaded guilty to contravening Section 82 (1) of the Parks and Wildlife Management Act Chapter 20:14 before Bulawayo provincial magistrate, Phathekile Msipa.

The ivory, which was the subject of the offence, was forfeited to the State although the forfeiture was ordered when the men who implicated him were sentenced.

Msipa said what aggravated the chief’s case was that he is a traditional leader who should lead by example.

“What you did is against the detects of your role as a chief as your actions bring into disrepute the name of chiefs throughout the country. You gave a bad example to the people you lead given the fact that you are expected to preside over cases that are brought before you,” said the magistrate.

Prosecutor Jeremiah Mutsindikwa told the court that on 25 June this year, at about 11.55am, detectives acted on information that Chief Siphoso was in possession of ivory and was going to supply some buyers at Stunts Sports Bar along 6th Avenue in Bulawayo.

He arrived driving a vehicle and detectives approached him and searched his vehicle but could not recover the ivory.

Investigations later showed that the ivory had already been delivered to the buyer, Thulani Dube, who lives in Parklands.

Dube was arrested and indicated that Chief Siphoso had brought the ivory and it was recovered.

Dube (41), of Number 3 St Albans Road, Parklands, Butholezwe Zitha (30), of Number 38 Cumberland Drive, Hillcrest and Geoffrey Moyo, in June pleaded guilty to the charge before Msipa.

They were also being charged with contravening Section 82 (1)(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20.14 and they were fined US$200 (or two months in prison).

The two elephants tusks valued at US$1 770 were forfeited to the State.