Two people of Chief Mwata Kazembe’s area have been sentenced to four months imprisonment with hard labour in a Kawambwa magistrates court in Luapula Province for unlawful possession of fish.
And a 31-year old woman of the same area has been fined K100, 000 in default four months imprisonment with simple labour for being found in possession of 180 kilogrammes (Kg)of fish.
Magistrate Felix Kaoma slapped the sentence on Martin Muyunda, 27 and Moses Mukaate, 29 for being found with fishing nets during the fish ban contrary to section 18 of the fish ban Act cap 200 of the laws of Zambia.
In mitigation, Muyunda said he was a double orphan and had two children whom he was supporting while Mukaate told the court that he was looking after his mother, four children and two orphans.
The duo asked for leniency saying they had people they were taking care of.
But Mr. Kaoma rejected their pleas saying the convicts were found in the fish camp when the ban was still in effect.
The Magistrate added that they defied the fish ban and that if the fish became extinct, people would suffer.
Meanwhile, in the same court, Dorothy Kafuti who was found with 180 Kg of fish has been fined K100, 000 in default four months imprisonment with simple labour.
ZANIS/ENDS/LC/CLM
Do they want them to starve instead?
Having a fishing net is a crime 😮
I smell a RAT :d
obey the law, period. this is the farming season not fishing season. the law is for there for there own good
kuli njala,wat do u expect.
Too bad for those Tubulus.This is because of the hard economical times, no wonder people are flouting some laws ,the financial crisis has affected everyone ,no wonder those incidences
why not giving them also a suspended sentence like Zulu?
People should respect the rule of law prevailing. This fish ban is for a good reason and for their own good.
Martin Muyunda and Moses Mukaate knew about this ban, hence they should be punished accordingly PERIOD. **==8-x*-:)
Fish is nice
=))ati kwesu kwali wamisha okotulye minofu yambowa, adictive staf=))
The courts should exercise leniency on people who break the law with a view of making ends meet.Fishing during the ban cannot be compared to Ganja smoking, thefts where absolute owners are deprived of their property permanently etc. A suspended sentence should have been better.Custodial sentence with hard labour is to harsh, over fish.
Arrest them please. Well done Magistrate Kaoma !!
Hai pipo. just having Full Breakfast (at home) and not John Sina na Zigolo, which is rare in Zambia. will join u later. thanks for understanding.
what do you expect from lwapula, these pipo are used of stealing .uwabeketetalilemo alikana .
Shame, this is what i mean when i say an average Zambian survives on less than a dollar….which the magistrate could be a lil bit more understanding…
DONT RUSH #13, enjoy your Tute ne chiwaya no munkoyo…full breakfst nhuh…i truly envy you.
Guys, why impose a ban on fishing? Pipo have been feeding on fish from way way back when there were no fish bans but there was nothing like the fish would run out. Look at Western Province, their King never allows fish bans and for sure they always have some of the tastiest fish throughout the year.
Man made njala when the food is there and to top it all you send them to jail while crimes like drug trafficking receive suspended sentences. Segregative justice.
The Magistrate probably bought fish from the woman and the guys stood him up when they were supposed to deliver!! Huh The Zed **==
too bad gentlemen this is what our country has to offer,sorry elo ni hard labour awe its sad,but where these men fishing or what?coz its different when you are caught in the act and when you are just found with fishing rods.its a crazy **== we live in.
Dont write rubbish, ignorant 14. Is it is okay to let families starve because the ban is in in their best interests? Who will feed their families ? We had such harsh sentences during colonial times. Perhaps independence is only for a few well connected individuals who plunder at will while the law turns a blind eye.
Law in Zed will only favor the rich.Sure just fisi has sent them to jail and St.Miko Micheal Zulu found with marijuana has been sent free from prison :((
LET US BE FAIR,THESE POOR PIPO GET THIER LIVING FROM THE RIVER FROM TYM IN MEMORIAL,WERE DO YOU WANT THEEM TO GET THEIR INCOME FROM?NOW CONSIDER THE POOR FAMILIES WHO DEPENDE ON THEM,SHAME MAGESTRET
This is called ku dyesa banja, tell the lawyer represenitng this Guy.
At 24 with 2 kids the guy still calls himself an orphan?.If that’s the case then everyone will at some point become an orphan.
He he , yep, everyone will be an orphan!
I honestly sympathise with these two fishermen. They lacked legal representation only. They had not yet caught the fish but were only found with nets. The woman who was caught with 180kg of fish was only fined. What type of justice is this? This magistrate should have exercised fairness and given these two chaps a suspended sentence until the fish ban is over. Let us help them by appealing on thheir behalf. Any lawyers uko mupepi who can assist?
Is St.Maiko Zulu related to RBB? Two bad for the poor chaps. A suspended sentence could have been better. The one who has commited a crime is fined, and for attempting a crime is sent to prison! Zed justise!