Pangolin earns Dedza man six years in jail

Dedza Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 39-year-old man to six years imprisonment for being found in possession of a pangolin.

Wisiki Magombo was arrested last December, for keeping the said protected animal, which died in his house due to starvation as he looked for a market.

In mitigation, he prayed for leniency as he claimed to look after his aged mother, wife and children, but prosecutor Mariot Kamaliza argued that Magombo should have been aware of his family obligations before committing the crime.

In his determination, magistrate Symon Mwambo said Magombo deserved a stiffer punishment because of the nature of the crime he committed.

According to Dedza Police deputy spokesperson Cassim Manda, being found in possession of protected species attracts a maximum sentence of 30 years without option of fine under Section 86 Sub-section (1) as read with Section 110 B Sub-section (b) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 2017.

Magombo comes from Chambwe Village, Traditional Authority Kachere, Dedza.