Two Zimbabwean police officers who were last year arrested after being found in possession of ivory in Botswana have been released to the Zimbabwean government.
The recent developments come in the wake of a diplomatic tiff between Botswana and Zimbabwe, which saw two Botswana wildlife officials being arrested by Zimbabwean police for straying into Zimbabwean territory while armed.
The Minister of Justice Defense and Security, Ramadeluka Seretse, recently told Sunday Standard that the two officers had been handed over to Zimbabwe , but could not ascertain whether they were prosecuted in their home country or not.
As tension between Botswana and Zimbabwe rages on, two Zimbabwean policemen suspected to be poachers were arrested after they were found in possession of a good number of elephant tasks.
It is reported that the two officers wanted to sell the elephant tasks to some locals who also legally trade in ivory.
“It is true that two Zimbabwean police officers were arrested in Botswana while in possession of elephant tasks. They were then handed over to the Zimbabwean authorities, and I hope that they were prosecuted for their crimes,” he said.
The two officers were reportedly handed over after negotiations between Botswana and Zimbabwe, which culminated in both countries agreeing that the two officers be released without condition.
Poaching has been on the increase in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and security agents from the three countries are said to be working day and night to try and contain the problem.
