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.

According to a statement from Ministry of Tourism public relations officer Sakabilo Kalembwe, 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), Lorence Chipashya (48), Friday Musonda and Ponda Sichinga (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.

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 . They were arrested and charged on 26 September 2018.

These offences are contrary to Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.

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.

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.