The Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced Godfrey Haward, 30 and Modester Makoka, 34, to three years imprisonment with hard labour for being found in possession of Pangolin.

The court heard through Kanengo Police Station Prosecution Officer, Inspector Grace Mafosha that on December 22, 2021 Kanengo Police detectives received a tip that Haward and Makoka were offering for sale a live pangolin at Mgona location.

The Police rushed to the location where they caught them red handed near Lilongwe Teachers Training College (LTTC).

They were arrested and charged with an offence of being found in possession of specimen of listed species contrary to section 110 (b) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.

Appearing in court, both suspects pleaded guilty to the charge that led to their conviction.

In mitigation, both pleaded for the court’s leniency, saying they were first offenders and breadwinners to their families.

In her submission, Inspector Mafosha asked the court for stiffer punishment as a warning to other offenders, saying wild animals need to be protected since they attract tourists who bring forex into the country.

Senior Resident Magistrate Florence Nsekandiana concurred with the state and sentenced Haward and Makoka to three years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL).

Haward comes from Masantchi Village while Makoka comes from Sinyala Village, both in the Area of Traditional Authority Masumbankhunda in Lilongwe district.