The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on November 17, 2025 convicted and sentenced 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.
During court proceedings, the Station Prosecution Officer (SPO), Inspector Amos Mwase, told the court that on June 28, 2024, Namwera Police detectives received a tip-off from community members that the convicts were offering pieces of elephant ivory for sale at Namwera Trading Centre.
Acting on the information, the officers in collaboration with the Wildlife Crime Investigation Unit rushed to the scene and arrested the trio. They were found with five pieces of elephant ivory weighing 12 kilograms, wrapped in a sack and carried on their motorcycle.
Appearing before court, all three pleaded not guilty, prompting the State to parade five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In mitigation, the convicts asked for leniency, citing family responsibilities. However, Prosecutor Mwase reminded the court that the offence is serious in nature as it undermines the protection of endangered wildlife and harms efforts to preserve the environment. He therefore prayed for stiffer penalties.
In his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande concurred with the State’s submissions and sentenced each of them to seven years imprisonment with hard labour as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
All convicts come from Nyerere village, Mandimba district in Mozambique.
Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
PRO-Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999 706 525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com
Website: www.police.gov.mw