Mountain Rise couple arrested over elephant tusk

Altaaf Dawood (28) and his wife Alia (27) of Sterculia Drive, Mountain Rise, were arrested after being found in possession of the tusk on Sunday in Old Greytown Road by members of the Pietermaritzburg’s K9 unit.

While Alia has been released on R1000 bail, Altaaf, is still in custody as he has a pending murder case against him. In that case, he is alleged to have killed Cebolethu Ngcobo (17) on May 21, 2017 near the mosque in Church Street, for which he is out on R10 000 bail.

They have both been charged under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act for being involved in “restricted activity involving threatened or protected species without a permit”.

The couple was arrested after patrolling members of the K9 unit intercepted them driving a green VW Golf on Old Greytown road erratically.

The vehicle was searched and the elephant tusk was found wrapped in a black plastic bag in the back. The tusk is currently with the Pietermaritzburg Stock Theft Unit.

According to the conservation organisation WWF, the country is still wrestling with the scourge of elephant poaching.

This is despite the ban on international trade. The organisation adds that thousands of elephants are being killed for their ivory tusks. The ivory is usually carved into ornaments. China is the biggest consumer market for such trade. In most countries, the ban was introduced as far back as 1989, a move which yielded positive results.

Ivory is sold to the Chinese market – the biggest consumers for such products.

SANParks spokesman Ike Phaahla said 184 poaching suspects were arrested in 2018.

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