State concludes parading witnesses in ivory case
The State yesterday paraded two final witnesses in a case against Zambian Kelby Roy Malambo, 47, who is answering a charge of smuggling 22 pieces of ivory weighing 64.905 kilogrammes.
The Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court had adjourned the case on Friday when the State paraded two witnesses Burton Nyirenda and Justin Mbulo who are motorcycle tax operators who transported the accused to Mwami Border Post in Mchinji District.
In his testimony, Department of Parks and Wildlife officer responsible for wildlife crimes investigations Fyson Suwedi examined and identified the confiscated items and certified them as real ivory.
Another witness Chaswa Banda from National Police Headquarters testified that he was the one who arrested Malambo on February 28 for being found in possession of the ivory valued at K53 546 625.
Senior resident magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda asked the defence to make its submission within two weeks before making a ruling on whether there is a case to answer on September 7 2021.
On Friday, Detective Wellington Chindzakazi from Area 30 Police Headquarters read out the charges for Malambo who had pleaded not guilty in court.
He is accused of dealing in government trophy, contrary to Section 91 (1) as read with Section 110 (b) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act and importing specimen without producing to a customs officer a valid permit, contrary to Section 98 (b) as read with Section 111 of the same Act.
Malambo is represented by lawyer Enock Chibwana who urged the court to expedite the case, saying it has taken long to conclude.
Last week, another Zambian was arrested at Mpherembe in Mzimba for allegedly possessing six pieces of ivory.
