The senior resident magistrate court sitting in Balaka has sentenced two men to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for being found in possession of a live Pangolin.

Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande said the two, 43 year old Pemphero Sydney and Yusuf Sadik 32 deserve such a custodial sentence to make a difference in efforts to save pangolins.

Earlier, Police prosecutor Louis Makiyi told the court that on September 11, 2020 wildlife investigators received a tip from well wishers that the two were offering a live Pangolin for sale at a taxi rank in Balaka, where police later arrested them and seized the creature.

They were found guilty and convicted for being found in possession of specimen of listed species without a licence, contrary to Section 86 subsection 1 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.

Source:ZBS