A court in Blantyre has sentenced two men to four years imprisonment for being found in possession of a live pangolin.

Police prosecutor, Justice Manolo, told the court that the two, Joseph Douglas and Moffat Matias, were offering the pangolin for sale at K7m at Chikapa area in Machinjiri township.

Manolo says the two were arrested after a wildlife official and a police CID officer from Blantyre posed as potential buyers.

Blantyre Principal Resident Magistrate, Godfrey Balaka, observed that cases of this nature are on the rise hence need for stiff punishments.

Douglas hails from Choncho village, T/A Chikowi in Zomba while Mathias comes from the area of T/A Chapananga in Chikwawa.