Two to pay hefty fine or face imprisonment for possession of elephant tusks
The accused were arrested on November 16, last year, by members of Benoni K9 and the Pretoria K9 after they were found in possession of three elephant tusks (ivory).
Innocent Tendere and Shelton Zimizi were each sentenced to a hefty fine or five years imprisonment by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court for the illegal possession of elephant tusks.
The court sentenced the two on October 24. The verdict came after they were found guilty on October 19.
“The accused were arrested on November 16, last year, by members of Benoni K9 with the help of the Pretoria K9 after they were found in possession of three elephant tusks (ivory) at Oriental Plaza,” said provincial police spokesperson Warrant Officer Noloyiso Rwexana.
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“The matter was later transferred to the Hawks’ Germiston-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit for further exploration.
“The accused appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on December 2, 2022, and were denied bail.
“They made several court appearances and were later each sentenced to a R700 000 fine or five years imprisonment,” said Rwexana.
