A couple of Daudesiyo Gonya and Nalichete Ndeule in Dedza has been sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for possessing a pangolin and medical drugs without permit.

Dedza Police Publicist Sub Inspector Edward Kabango says law enforcers at Lobi Police Unit received a tip that the man and his wife, both herbalists, were keeping a pangolin at their home which they also used as a hospital.

“After following up the issue, the Police found the dead pangolin and medical drugs. The drugs include; 19 bottles of penenciline injections, 23 injections syringes, 8 depo provera injection bottles and many more assorted assorted drugs,” says Kabango.

In mitigation, the couple asked for leniency; saying they are both bread winners for their family but the state asked for a stiff sentence to act as a deterrent to other would be offender

Senior Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda sentenced them to 9 months for possessing medical drugs and 7 years for possessing a pangolin. The sentences will run concurrently.

Both Gonya, 50, and his wife Ndeule, 51, come from Bondo village in the area of Traditional Authority Kachere in Dedza.