Police in Chikwawa have arrested a 26 year old man for allegedly being found in possession of a live pangolin which he was offering for sale.

Chikwawa Police Station spokesperson Dickson Matemba has identified the suspect as Yohane Getsi.

Matemba said Getsi was arrested at Nchalo trading centre after police received a tip from well-wishers that he was offering for sale a live Pangolin.

According to Matemba, the listed species has since been seized and the suspect will appear in court soon to answer the charge leveled against him.

Getsi hails from Therere Village in the area of Senior Chief N’gabu gabu in Chikwawa District.

According to the National Geographic, Pangolin scales, like rhino horn, have no proven medicinal value, yet they are used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with ailments ranging from lactation difficulties to arthritis.

The scales typically dried and ground up into powder, which may be turned into a pill.