By James Muonwa, Mashonaland West Correspondent
A KAROI magistrate has cleared two Karoi villagers for charges of unlawful possession of raw ivory valued at US$1 467,10.
Whynos Dzotso (23) and Knowledge Nyamukondiwa (25) who both reside under Chief Kazangarare, Karoi were this Tuesday acquitted by Magistrate Felix Chauromwe who made the ruling following the defence’s application for discharge at the close of the state case.
The pair, which denied the charge under the Parks and Wildlife Act, was freed after the presiding magistrate, Felix Chauromwe rapped the state for banking on unreliable evidence adduced from vexatious witnesses.
Chauromwe’s judgment in part reads; “The state failed to perform satisfactorily. No evidence was led against the accused persons. Accused contended that they picked the ivory and that they intended to handover the ivory to parks (Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority) officials.