Ivory Scam: Ex-MP Arrested


The Herald (Harare)

July 26, 2005
Posted to the web July 26, 2005

Harare

Former Member of Parliament for Bikita East Walter Mutsauri was yesterday arrested as investigations into illegal dealings in ivory intensify.

Mutsauri, a former Zanu-PF legislator, is alleged to have sold raw ivory to Chinese nationals believed to be part of an illegal ivory dealing syndicate. The two Chinese, Qingling Zhang and Cong Yuling, are in remand prison on allegations of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act. Mutsauri and another suspect, believed to be his brother, were picked up in the city centre and were being held at Harare Central Police Station for questioning.

Police confirmed the arrest of the former MP and his brother. They had been expected to appear at the Harare Magistrates' Courts yesterday afternoon, but failed due to undisclosed reasons. However, Mutsauri, Zhang, Yuling and the other suspect are now expected to appear at the court today. Zhang and Yuling also face another charge of breaching the Firearms Act for allegedly possessing unlicensed firearms. Police have already instituted extra-territorial investigations into the scam and investigating teams were last week expected to leave for China and Mozambique.

The State alleges that between March 21 and July 5 this year, Zhang and Yuling bought 67 elephant tusks, which are classified as raw ivory, from Mutsauri and one Lovemore Chikosha. Mutsauri and Chikosha are holders of trophy dealers' licences, which authorise them to trade in manufactured ivory products but not raw ivory.

The two Chinese nationals attempted to illegally export the contraband. Police recovered the tusks when they were in wooden crates ready for export. It is further alleged that when police raided the pair's Greendale residence, they found a pistol and a rifle in Yuling's bedroom. Both firearms were not licensed. The ivory is worth $353 600 000.

Sounds like Wilbur Smiths' "Elephant Song"!

Obviously the result of someone not getting their cut

Well didn't China just sign sign some sort of deal with Zimbabwe?
We'll wait and see on this one. The new bed partners might be able to work this one out!

Kathi, do you mean $353,000.00 or $353,000,000.00?

The ivory was worth $353 600 000

Probably Zim Dollars (about US$20,000 at the official exchange rate).

Regards,

Terry