The Chipata High Court has jailed two men to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for illegal possession of eight kilograms of ivory and leopard skin.
Another man was sentenced to six years imprisonment with hard labour for illegal possession of ivory weighing up to two kilograms
The three men were tried and convicted by the Lundazi Subordinate Court and committed to the High Court for sentencing.
The High Court, sitting in Chipata, sentenced Oscar Nyirongo, aged, 38 to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for the eight kilograms of ivory, contrary to section 130(2) (a) of the ZWA No. 14 of 2015.
Similarly, the Court sentenced Gabriel Nkhoma to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for Unlawful Possession of Prescribed Trophy, namely one leopard skin, contrary to section 130(2) (a) of the ZWA No. 14 of 2015.
And Morgan Ngulube was sentenced to six years imprisonment with hard labour for ivory weighing two kilograms, contrary to section 130(2) (a) of the ZWA No. 14 of 2015.
Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe confirmed the development to the media in a statement.
Mr. Kalembwe said the illegal possession of prescribed trophies such as ivory, rhino horn, lion, cheetah and leopard skins are serious crimes in Zambia and attract penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment with no option of a fine.
Good development there. We need sanity in the wildlife sector. The only sad fact is that Indians and others of deep brown skins or white are let free and or above the law. The only ones arrested are our poor brothers and sisters, yet these foreigners commit serious crimes including illegal harvesting, transporting and selling of live game to farmers and zoo owners in Zambia, South Africa and elsewhere in the world. We need justice served to all not just our poor brothers who are pawns in a big game.
Let them be jailed. We are losing a lot of wildlife through poaching.
Well done job.