Gokwe Man Jailed 9 Years for Illegal Ivory Possession
Gokwe man Emmanuel Sinamapanda has been jailed nine years for illegal ivory possession. Court recovers 19.83kg ivory worth US$3,366; NPAZ warns poaching threatens Zimbabwe’s biodiversity.
Dumisani Ndlovu 
Gokwe - A 30-year-old Gokwe man has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment after being convicted of unlawfully possession of raw, unmarked ivory in contravention of Zimbabwe’s wildlife laws.
Emmanuel Sinamapanda of Bharabhara Village under Chief Semuchembu, Gokwe, was convicted by Magistrate Thomas Gurajena of the Gokwe Magistrates’ Court following his arrest during a sting operation conducted by detectives and officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
The court heard that on February 23, 2026, law enforcement agents acting on a tip-off mounted an undercover operation at Sabala River Bridge in the Chitekete area, posing as prospective buyers interested in purchasing ivory.
Following brief negotiations, Sinamapanda and his accomplice allegedly produced a sack containing several pieces of ivory.
However, after sensing danger, the suspects attempted to flee from the scene, triggering a chase by the detectives and Parks officials.
Sinamapanda was eventually apprehended while his accomplice escaped.
Authorities recovered five pieces of raw ivory weighing 4.10kg, 3.08kg, 4.45kg, 4.25kg and 3.95kg respectively, with a combined weight of 19.83 kilograms. The recovered ivory was valued at approximately US$3,366.
The court found no special circumstances warranting leniency and imposed the mandatory minimum sentence of nine years imprisonment.
Ms Florance Mushanduri prosecuted for the State.
