Itezhi-tezhi magistrates Munalula Mubita has ordered two men of Kalomo district in chief Chikanta’s chiefdom in Southern province to pay K1.4 million apiece or face a 13 months sentence for entering the Kafue national park with dangerous weapons namely an axe and knife.
This was in a matter in which David Muzyamba 57, of Chumina village in chief Chikanta in Kalomo village and Bedson Muyobozi, 51 of Nakalongwe village of the same chiefdom were charged with two counts of unlawful entry into the park and unlawful possession of weapons in the national park.
On count one the allegations against the duo were that on 5th May the duo in Itezhi-tezhi district jointly while acting together entered the Kafue national park without any permit from Director of Zambia wild life authority(ZAWA).
On count two it was alleged that the duo, while acting together in the national park were found in possession of an axe and a knife without authority from ZAWA.
Facts on the matter were that in May this year in Itezhi-tezhi at Itezhi-tezhi, while patrolling the Kafue national park, wildlife police officers came across Muyobozi and Muzyamba who run away upon seeing the ZAWA vehicle.
But the wildlife police officers chased them and managed to catch up with them, upon interviewing them it was found that they had two weapons a knife and an axe and they had no permit to enter the Kafue national park with the said weapons.
Magistrates Munalula convicted the two upon their confession and their pleading guilty to all charges.
In mitigation Muzyamba asked the court exercise leniency because he was married with 9 children and that he was looking after his aged mother while Muyobozi prayed for leniency saying he was married with 13 children.
He ordered each person to pay K1.4 million or go to prison for 13 months with hard labour and the two worn- out bicycles belonging to the convicts which were part of the exhibits in the court have been forfeited to the state.
[ ZANIS ]
Well,justice in zambia I wanted to compare this with Hon Mushili’s then……..its ok
Kakuba nkojisi nkalivunwo kazoka. .. Weapons were for self defence in case they get attacked by lions or any predator in the national park.They were not found with game meat to prove that the weapons they had where used in poaching. WASHOUT… FREE THEM
#1 well said. Justice in Zambia indeed. Free them. Ba judge nabena!