A HWANGE man will spend the next nine years in jail after he was slapped with a mandatory nine-year prison term for illegal possession of ivory.
Siphelile Mathe appeared at Hwange Magistrate court on August 12 before Provincial Magistrate Head Mr T Zhou.
He pleaded guilty to the charge. There were no special circumstances found therefore he was sentenced to nine years imprisonment.
The 44-year-old had been arrested on July 21 after being found in possession of two pieces of raw elephant ivory, stashed in a 50kg sack at Black Road turn-off, along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
Elsewhere, six accused persons who are facing charges of unlawful possession of raw unmarked elephant ivory and unlawful possession of fire arms, also appeared at Hwange Magistrates court.
The State alleges that on 27 April 2022 around 1900hrs six accused persons namely Elijah phiri, Amos Mudenda, Laimon Mudimba, Patric Mudenda, Edwin Munsaka and Lizwe Munenge were arrested in the general area of Gwayi river near kamativi for unlawful possession of elephant tusks and firearms.
Only Munsaka has pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawfull possession of unmarked elephant ivory while the rest deny the charges.
Police allege that four elephant tusks and two rifles were recovered from the accused persons.
On August 12 Phiri’s Defense Council, Givemore Muvhiringi of Muvhiringi Associates made a written application for discharge.
Munsaka, represented by Charity Manyeza of Mhaka Attorneys, pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful possession of raw unmarked elephant ivory and pleaded not guilty to the charge of unlawful possession of fire arms.
The accused were further remanded in custody for ruling and continuation of trial to 17 August 2022.
