The Mpika and Chinsali Subodinate Courts have convicted and sentenced four people to five years imprisonment with hard labour each for being in possession of illegal game meat.

In a statement, Ministry of Tourism and Arts public relations officer Sakabilo Kalembwe stated that the convicts were found in illegal possession of about 51 kilograms of illegal game meat of various species.

The Mpika Subrdinate Court convicted and sentenced Allan Chanda, Sten Kabengele and Mupanga Lwanga to five years imprisonment with hard labour each, for Unlawful Possession of Hippo and Black Lechwe meant weighing 36kg.

And the Chinsali Subordinate Court sentenced Shadrick Katongo to five years imprisonment with hard labour for Unlawful Possession of 15kg of Sable Antelope meat, and another six (6) months imprisonment for unlawful possession of five (5) shotgun Shells.