The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Michael Usi has expressed gratitude to the Malawi Judiciary for giving harder punishment to wildlife offenders.

According to Usi, giving out tougher sentences to the offenders will help to frighten the would-be offenders.

“We are so grateful to the judiciary for their commitment to ending the poaching. Maximum sentences are one way of discouraging poachers,” Usi said.

Usi also revealed that the poachers are not only Malawians but also people from other countries.

Meanwhile, the minister said they have given all game rangers, whose lives are also at risk, with guns and live bullets for their protection.