Three Mozambicans Sentenced to Seven Years for Possessing Elephant Ivory

Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has convicted three Mozambican nationals, Shoriano Juwao Bizwick, 31, Nelson Bala, 36, and Ziti Rajabu, 34, to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour each for being found in possession of five pieces of elephant ivory at Namwera Trading Centre in Mangochi District.

Mangochi Police Station publicist, Amina Tepani Daudi, confirmed that the trio was arrested following a tip-off from community members that the convicts were offering pieces of elephant ivory for sale at Namwera Trading Centre.

In mitigation, the convicts asked for leniency, citing family responsibilities.

However, in his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande sentenced each of them to seven years imprisonment with hard labour to deter would-be offenders.

All convicts come from Nyerere village, Mandimba district in Mozambique.