Friday, March 29, 2024

Courts hands 7 people five-year prison sentences for various wildlife crimes

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The Chipata, Kitwe and Mpika Subordinate Courts have handed seven people five-year prison sentences for various wildlife crimes involving illegal possession of two live pangolins, elephant ivory, black lechwe meat and crocodile skin.

In Chipata, the Subordinate Court convicted and sentenced David Phiri 34, to five years imprisonment with hard labour, following his arrest for Unlawful Possession of two live pangolins.

Officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, who found him with two live Pangolins concealed in a bag, arrested David at a guesthouse in the eastern city.

And in Kitwe, the Subordinate Court convicted and sentenced four men to five years with hard labour each for Unlawful Possession of Prescribe Trophy, namely one crocodile skin.

James Makungu 60, Lawrence Chipashya 48, Friday Musonda and Ponda Sichinga both 21 were arrested by intelligence officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

Meanwhile, the Mpika Subordinate Court has convicted and sentenced Bright Chanda and Kelvin Kunda, to five years imprisonment with hard labour each, after the accused persons pleaded guilty to Unlawful Possession black lechwe meat.

Ministry of Tourism and Arts spokesperson Sakabilo Kalembwe said officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, who found them with the meat of a freshly poached black lechwe, apprehended the accused persons and they were arrested and charged on 26th September 2018.

Mr. Kalembwe said these offences are contrary to Zambia Wildlife Act number 14 of 2015.

He said the pangolins in Zambia and neighboring countries are under threat due to the illegal capture, trade and trafficking in live pangolins and scales, which are used in Traditional Chinese Medicines.

Mr. Kalembwe added that Wildlife poaching has negative side-effects that affect local communities, wildlife populations, and the environment. Zambia’s tourism sector relies on flourishing wildlife populations to attract tourists, to create jobs and provide vital social services to local communities.

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