Man convicted for transporting charcoal without permit

A TWENTY Seven year old driver of Kazungula has been fined K1000 by the Livingstone magistrate’s court for illegal transportation of charcoal contrary to the laws of Zambia.

This is in a case in which Professor Choongo of Luntele village in Kazungula is charged with illegal conveyance of major forestry produce.

It is alleged that on November 13 this year in Livingstone, Choongo had collected and conveyed 17 bags of charcoal to Livingstone without lawful authority.

On the date in question, a Forest Technician Peris Mwamba whilst he was riding his bicycle home, he saw a vehicle with registration number AJD 156 which was carrying charcoal along Botswana road in Livingstone.

Mwamba trailed the vehicle until it parked at Dambwa Central Market and he approached the vehicle.

He asked the driver if he had a permit to allow him to transport the charcoal and he respond that he had none.

Mwamba then seized the charcoal and the vehicle as well as took them to Forest Department office where he charged the driver.

During mitigation, Choongo pleaded that he was asking forgiveness from the court.

“I am asking forgiveness from the court. I am guilty from the offence because I wanted to help the trader who booked my vehicle,” he said.

Livingstone Magistrate Benjamin Mwelwa said he had fined the driver K1, 000 or in default he would serve three months simple imprisonment.

He said the charcoal would be disposed off by the clerk of court.

“You should stop using vehicle for illegal activities otherwise they will be fortified to the state so next time you will lose your property and you should learn to follow the right procedure,” he said.

Magistrate Mwelwa said the vehicle would be returned to the rightful owner.