Balaka Police spokesperson, Gladson M’bumpha, revealed that Gabriel Chilunga and Frank Phiri were sentenced to prison terms of 2 years and 3 years, respectively, for possessing a live pangolin, a violation of the National Park and Wildlife Act.
The state presented four witnesses in court, who successfully proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the convictions of the defendants.
Despite pleading not guilty, the convictions were secured due to the compelling evidence presented during the trial.
Both defendants, Chilunga and Phiri, hailing from Zomba, sought leniency from the court as first-time offenders during their mitigation plea.
Senior Resident Magistrate Mercy Bonongwe, presiding over the case, handed down a 2-year jail term to Chilunga and a 3-year term to Phiri.