Vongai Masuka

A Hurungwe man has been slapped with a 9 year jail sentence after he was found in possession of six pieces of raw Ivory weighing 17.3 kg.

Tapesana Kunzanga, a resident of Dzedembo village under Chief Chundu in Hurungwe was convicted for  contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.

He was apprehended by the police after they received an anonymous tip that he had the elephant tasks at Ruzvidzo beerhall in Mbare.

“Police investigations led to the recovery of six elephant tusks wrapped in a brown jacket. Kunzanga failed to produce a licence permitting him to be in possession of the ivory, leading to his arrest.

“The value of the recovered raw ivory is USD$2 941. The possession of ivory attracts a mandatory penalty of 9 years,” the National Prosecuting Authority said.