LEOPARD SKIN LANDS 2 FISHERMEN IN JAIL

Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

By Chintu Malambo

TWO Luangwa fishermen have learnt the hard way after being sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour for unlawfully trading in Leopard’s skin.

Upon their own admission of guilt, Magistrate David Simusamba found Mwanyala Mwale 32 and Joseph Mwansa 28 guilty as charged.

Facts are that on October 20 2017, Joseph Mwizabi an investigations officer received information that there were two people trading in Leopards skin within the Lusaka town centre.

Mr Mwizabi and other police officer instituted investigations and when confronted, the two disclosed that they were selling Leopards skin after which they were  apprehended.

The accused did not have a certificate of ownership issued by the Director of Wildlife Authority.

It was then that the two were charged with unlawful possession of prescribed trophy contrary to section 130 (2) of the wildlife Act 154 of 2015 of the laws of Zambia.

In their mitigation, the accused persons pleaded with the court to exercise leniency as they were first offenders who regretted the action that led to their imprisonment.

They promised to be good citizens that would keep the law once given a second chance and that they had wives and children that depended on them.

However, Magistrate Simusamba slapped them with five years imprisonment with hard labour, adding that he had considered their mitigation but the law had to take its course