Trial begins in K2.6 million ivory case as officer details recovery of 94 tusks

Trial has commenced in the K2.6 million elephant ivory case before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, where an investigations officer detailed how seven carton boxes containing suspected ivory were recovered during a search of a house linked to two of the accused persons.

The court heard testimony from an investigations officer, identified as Joe (a pseudonym), who described how the alleged ivory was discovered during the operation.

The accused are Gift Miyanda, Mugundumu Miyanda, Mark Mukanya, Malikiso Inambao and Webster Muzyamba — all Zambian — and Babou Awazi Selemani, a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

They are charged with possessing 94 pieces of elephant ivory weighing 471.8 kilogrammes, contrary to Section 130(2)(a) of the Zambia Wildlife Act.

The officer told the court that Gift Miyanda led the search team to a house in the Lilayi area and directed officers to a bedroom where seven carton boxes were found. When opened, each box contained elephant ivory, which the court viewed.

Read more: Six suspects appear in Lusaka Magistrates’ court over alleged possession of elephant ivories worth K2.64 million

He said the house consisted of two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. Officers opened each box and recorded the contents, which totalled 94 pieces of suspected ivory.

“In box one there were 13 pieces. In box two there were 13 pieces. In box three there were 16 pieces. In box four there were 14 pieces. In box five there were seven pieces. In box six there were 10 pieces. And in box seven there were 10 pieces,” he said.

He added that more suspected ivory was recovered from sacks and polythene bags in the same room, and that a weighing scale was found on top of one of the boxes.

A search of the other rooms in the house did not yield additional items.

Under cross-examination, the officer confirmed that the boxes were sealed and had no names or identifying markings.

He also said he did not know the ownership of the boxes or the identity of any alleged Chinese national linked to the matter.

Trial continues on May 12, 2026.

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