GAUTENG –The Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court sentenced Innocent Tendere (35) and Shelton Zimizi (31), for illegal possession of elephant tusks on Tuesday, 24 October 2023. The sentencing came after they were found guilty of the said charges on 19 October 2023.
The accused were arrested on 16 November 2022 by the members of Benoni K9 with assistance of the Pretoria K9 after they were found in possession of three elephant tusks (Ivory) at Oriental Plaza Burna. The matter was later transferred to the Germiston based Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further exploration. The accused appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on 02 December 2022 and they were denied bail. They made several court appearances and they were sentenced as follows:
Accused Number 1: R700 000.00 fine or five (5) years imprisonment.
Accused Number 2: R700 000.00 fine or five (5) years imprisonment.