The Solwezi Subordinate Court has jailed four people for illegally possessing 166 kilograms of illegal Bush meat and a serval cat skin.

In a statement, Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe said Charity Kaswende, 43, and Paul Jishebele, 62, were sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for being in possession of illegal bushmeat contrary to the law.

“The court convicted Charity Kaswende, 43, and fined her K90,000 with three years imprisonment in default of payment, for illegal possession of 53 kilograms of dry heart beast meat,” she stated.

“In a related case, the Court convicted Jishebele and fined him K45,000 with 3 years imprisonment in default of payment, for illegal possession of government trophy, namely 66 kilograms of fresh impala meat, contrary to section 129 (1) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.”

He also said Jonas Kalima, 48, and Biriati Tombo, 48, received a three year jail sentence for possessing meat illegally.

“In another charge, the Court convicted Kalima and fined him K90, 000 with three years imprisonment in default of payment, for Illegal Possession of Government Trophy, namely one Serval Cat skin, contrary to section 129 (1) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015,” he stated.

“The Court also convicted Tombo and fined him K90,000 with 3 years imprisonment in default of payment, for illegal possession of 14 kilograms bushbuck meat, 27 kilograms baboon meat, 3 kilograms warthog meat and 3 kilograms common duiker meat, contrary to section 129 (1) and unlawful hunting with traps, and 12 snares contrary to section 70 of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.”

The illegal bushmeat trade has been reported as the biggest threat to wildlife populations in Zambia and the region, even over and above the ivory and rhino horn trade.