By Staff Reporter
Harare – A Chinese national has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of unlawful dealing in wildlife products, including rhino horns and ivory.
The Harare Magistrates’ Court found Cong Yanzhong (51) guilty on two counts of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.
On July 16, 2025, detectives from the Zimbabwe Republic Police received a tip-off linking Yanzhong to illegal wildlife trade. Acting on the information, they trailed him and observed him carrying a black satchel and a brown carrier bag, matching the description provided by the informant.
Upon searching him, the police discovered three shrink-wrapped rhinoceros horns weighing 7.7 kilograms and valued at US\$240,000. Yanzhong failed to produce a permit or licence authorising possession of the horns and was immediately arrested.
A subsequent search at his residence uncovered four pieces of raw ivory weighing 36.15 kilograms with an estimated value of US\$6,146.
Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa sentenced Yanzhong to an effective 18 years in prison, underscoring the seriousness of wildlife crimes and their impact on conservation efforts.
Zimbabwe has intensified its crackdown on wildlife trafficking, which continues to threaten endangered species such as elephants and rhinos.
