Elephant Ivory lands man behind bars

MULENGA MUSONDA writes@sunzambianA FARMER of 45 years of age will toil for 5 years after the Choma Magistrates Court convicted him for illegally possessing two pieces of Elephant Ivory.In this matter Dickson Siabulila of Sinazongwe district was charged with Illegal Possession of Prescribed Trophy contrary to the Wildlife Act of the Laws of Zambia.Particulars of the offence are that Siabulila, jointly and whilst acting with Brighton Sitemba, Litese Maiya and Nchimunya Kwela had in their possession two pieces of Elephant Ivory without a Certificate of ownership issued in respect thereof.The four were intercepted at a named Guest House in Choma on October 9, 2020 in the process of selling the Ivory and were formally and charged with the subject offence on October 12.When they appeared for plea before Magistrate Muyambango Munukayumbwa, all the four understood the charge read to them through the Court Interpreter Munika Mwananshiku in Tonga, the language they understood better.Siabulila pleaded guilty to the charge while his alleged accomplices vehemently denied the allegation.After the facts were dictated to him by Public Prosecutor Gerald Tembo, he admitted that the statement was a true reflection of what transpired.In mitigation, Siabulila pleaded for lenience and added that he acquired the Trophies from a Zimbabwean National.In handing out the 5 years sentence with hard labour, Magistrate Munukayumbwa informed the accused that his hands were tied as the offence carries a minimum mandatory sentence which is non-negotiable.The Court granted the other three Bail in the sum of K3, 000 each in their own recognisance and will appear on October 29 for trial. The Sun