The Mongu Magistrate Court has sentenced a 31 year old man to five years imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful possession of ivory contrary to section 91 and 136 (2)(a) of the Wildlife Act numer 12 of 1998 of the laws of Zambia.
Appearing before Resident Magistrate Benson Mwanandiwa was Mutumbu Chingumbe of Nangweshi area in Shangombo district.
Particulars of the offence were that Mutumbu, on November 4 this year at Nangweshi in Shangombo district, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown people did have in his possession prescribed trophy without a certificate of ownership issued to his respect.The prescribed trophy namely one ivory, four cut pieces of Ivory, 51 Ivory bungles collectively weighing 36kg were found in his possession.
And in mitigation, Mutumbu who pleaded guilty to the offence, pleaded with the court to exercise lenience on him saying that he has four children aged less than five years old and that both he and his wife are unemployed.
The court sentenced him to five years imprisonment with hard labour and granted the prosecution to hand over the said trophies.
ZANIS
That’s a hard sentence but on the other hand, we need to protect the Elephants because they’re the pride of the African continent. Miniwayilo nine nambala shani bane?