Two Harare women on Tuesday appeared in court after they were found in possession of 25,9 kilogrammes of raw ivory valued at $6 475. Winnet Munyonga (36) and Chiedza Chiutsi (33) were charged with unlawful possession of unregistered or unmarked ivory when they appeared before magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe. They were remanded in custody to January 12 next year and were ordered to apply for bail at the High Court.
Allegations are that on December 12, Detective Assistant Inspector Kufa of CID Drugs picked information from a reliable informer that the duo were in possession of raw ivory along Robert Mugabe Way.
The court heard that Det Kufa teamed up with Det Sgt Murahwa and reacted to the information. It is alleged that they rushed to the scene and spotted the vehicle, a gold CRV parked on the right side of Robert Mugabe Way facing east.
The court heard that there was noone in the vehicle and Det Kufa and Det Sgt Murahwa waited next to the vehicle for the return of the occupants and after an hour, it is alleged that the detectives observed Munyonga and Chiutsi coming to the vehicle. They all entered into the vehicle and Munyonga allegedly sat on the driver’s seat while Chiutsi sat on the front passenger seat. It is the State’s case that the detectives approached Munyonga and Chiutsi and informed them of the purpose of their visit and they both consented for the vehicle search.
During the search the detectives recovered eight pieces of raw ivory which were inside a blue sack. The court heard that the detectives asked Munyonga and Chiutsi to produce the licence or permit allowing them to possess ivory, but they could not produce it, leading to their arrest.