Chinsali Magistrate Court Julius Malata has expressed concern at the increase in wildlife offences in Muchinga province.
Speaking in passing a three –year prison sentence with hard labour to Joel Mwiimba 44, for unlawful possession of government trophy, Magistrate Malata said wildlife offenders would be dealt with seriously in the region.
The suspect was convicted and sentenced for being in illegal possession of 26 pieces of buffalo meat weighing 37 kilograms, contrary to sections 97(1)(2) and 136 of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.
And in Kaoma district of Western province, the Subordinate Court has convicted and sentenced Nyambe Njamba 32, to five years’ imprisonment each with hard labour for unlawful possession of prescribed trophy namely lion skin and unlawful possession of Protected Trophy namely a lion skeleton respectively.
In another case, the court also sentenced two men of Nkeyema district in Western province to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour for illegal possession of a total of 98 kilogrammes of bushmeat, among other charges.
Mubita Nawa 24, and Kahilu Tolopo Lyalui 54, were charged with unlawful possession of protected trophy namely Roan antelope meat, unlawful possession of Government trophy namely kudu and hartebeest meat, and unlawful entry in a National park, among other charges.
The court handed the duo a five-year prison sentence for the first charge and a two-year prison sentence in each of the other charges. The sentences are to run concurrently.