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Snr Asst Comm Charamba

Crime Reporter
Police have arrested six suspected poachers who were wanted in connection with several cases of poaching countrywide and recovered rifles and two elephant tusks. They also recovered live rounds of ammunition and an impala carcass.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the arrests.

Some of the suspects were arrested in Masvingo, Guruve and Victoria Falls.

In one of the cases, police on December 14 arrested Jason Chisango (57) after he was shot by game scouts at Sango Conservancy, Devure Range, Masvingo while poaching.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said Chisango’s accomplices managed to escape but he supplied their names as Munashe Mudenge Mugwira, Tavengwa Machona, Batanai Manga, Tavengwa Mazhongwe and Doctor Mazhongwe.

Follow ups were made by police leading to the arrest of Machona, Manga and Mugwira in separate incidents.

“An AK 47, 7mm Mauser pistol and 303 rifles, four 303 live rounds, one spent cartridge used by the gang to commit poaching activities were recovered,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

In another case, police arrested Simon Mugombe (54) for poaching at Chizarira National Park in Victoria Falls.

He was found in possession of a 303 rifle, four live rounds, one spent cartridge, 17 class one wire snares, an impala carcass and a knife.

Mugombe implicated Kalonga Mutale and Tembo Mutale both of Kabuba Village, Chief Sinamagonde, Lusulu who are still at large.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said in another incident, police in Guruve arrested Henry Zvitete (37) for possessing unregistered ivory at Village 1, Makute Kachuta, Chief Chipuriro.

“The suspect was trapped by police officers who posed as buyers prompting him to produced two elephant tusks leading to his immediate arrest.

“The two elephant tusks worth $1 382,50 weighing 5,53 kilogrammes were recovered,” she said.

Police are appealing for information which may lead to the arrests of Tavengwa Mazhongwe, Doctor Mazhongwe, Kalonga Mutale Tembo Mutale, Mudimba (no further particulars known), Dumisani Moyo, Sinini Ndlovu,and Lendulo Ncube (46).

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said anyone with information leading to their arrest may report to the nearest police station or contact the National Complaints office on 04-703631.

“Members of the public are also urged to be on the lookout as the suspects could possibly be armed and dangerous,” she said.

Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt for Tudhope James Roy (33) who defaulted court on December 2, 2015 where he was facing charges of unlawful possession of 28,529,7 grammes of gold valued at $970 009,80.