Five arrested for poaching in Kasempa

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 19:05:26 +0000

By Nation Reporter ALERT National Parks and Wildlife officers in Kasempa district have arrested five people for alleged poaching in the Lunga Luswishi Game Management Area. Confirming the development to the Daily Nation yesterday, Kasempa area warden Kamuti Simushi said the suspects were arrested when they wanted to escape with nine illegally killed animals using Nyoka road.

Mr Simushi explained that the suspects were using a Mitsubishi Canter and were apprehended near Kamatete area as they tried to escape the dragnet of the officers and are all believed to be Solwezi residents. Mr Simushi said the suspects were trailed after a tip-off from members of the public and were stopped before they joined the Solwezi road near Kamatete Primary School.

“I can confirm that we arrested five people who engaged themselves in poaching activities.  The suspects were cornered as they were about to escape using the Nyoka road,” he said. He further revealed that the suspects had a license but were arrested for killing more than what was legally permitted on the document.

“According to the document, they were licensed to kill only one animal but they added nine more, bringing the total number to 10,” he said. The suspects have since been remanded in police custody and will appear in court soon. Meanwhile, Kasempa district commissioner Goodson Sansakuwa said he was saddened over the high rate  of poaching in the Game Management Area. He said stringent measures needed to be put in place to curb the vice before animals were depleted.

“And let me take this opportunity to warn would-be perpetrators that as a district we will not condone illegal killing of animals.  So whoever will be found wanting will be visited by the law,” he said. He commended the National Parks and Wildlife staff for being alert and bringing the suspects to book.