HIGH Court judge Justice Amy Tsanga yesterday dismissed a bail application by a locally based Chinese engineer, Chen Guoliang, who was intercepted at Harare International Airport last month while in possession of 17 pieces of ivory.
SENIOR COURT REPORTER
The bail ruling was pronounced by High Court judge Justice Ester Muremba as Justice Tsanga was not available.
Last Thursday, Justice Tsanga requested Chen to submit proof of employment and a return air ticket before a determination on his bail application could be made.
Chen’s lawyer Tendai Toto immediately submitted proof of employment in the form of a confirmation letter from a Harare company, Old Park Investment.
The court also received another confirmation from the Zimbabwe Finance Business Association to the effect that Chen was a qualified engineer.
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Zimbabwe Immigrations offices also confirmed Chen’s resident permit as being valid at the time of his arrest and was set to expire next year.
Chen is being charged with unlawful possession of ivory products and alternatively unlawful exportation of goods.
The tusks, valued at $28 475, weighed 99kg.
Allegations against Chen are that on October 21 this year, he arrived at Harare International Airport intending to go to China and checked in at the reception after which his luggage was subjected to a scan machine leading to the recovery of the hidden 17 elephant tusks.
Chen allegedly failed to produce a licence authorising him to deal in ivory.