Senior Resident Magistrate Mercy Bonongwe has convicted and sentenced two men to 30 months and 36 months imprisonment with hard labour respectively in Balaka for possessing a live pangolin.
According to Gladson M’bumpha, the Public Relations Officer for Balaka Police Station, the two are Gabriel Chilunga, who has been given a 30-month jail term while Frank Phiri has been sentenced to 36 months imprisonment.
During the court proceedings, State Prosecutor Bodwin Msukwa presented evidence that Chilunga was found with the pangolin at Kalambo Village in Balaka District on May 4, 2023 while Phiri was found with the animal on May 6, 2023 at Matawale in Zomba.
Initially, both men pleaded not guilty to the charges but the court heard testimonies from four witnesses, leading to their conviction.
Chilunga hails from Chikanda Village in Traditional Authority Chikowi while Phiri is from Mwindano Village in Traditional Authority Mwambo, both in Zomba.
