LUSAKA HERBALIST JAILED OVER PANGOLIN CHARMS

Rabecca Banda writes @SunZambian A Lusaka herbalist has been jailed five years for possession of pangolin skin in the magistrate’s court. Before magistrate chinunda Chiwaula was Kenneth Mumba 20 of Garden compound charged with one count of possession of protective animal contrary to the Zambia wildlife act. Particulars of the offence were that Mumba on […]

LUSAKA HERBALIST JAILED OVER PANGOLIN CHARMS
Rabecca Banda writes @SunZambian A Lusaka herbalist has been jailed five years for possession of pangolin skin in the magistrate’s court. Before magistrate chinunda Chiwaula was Kenneth Mumba 20 of Garden compound charged with one count of possession of protective animal contrary to the Zambia wildlife act. Particulars of the offence were that Mumba on January 5  2021 had in possession  a pangolin skin weighing 101 grams without lawful authority. Mumba admitted having possession of pangolin skin and that he wanted to use it to make different types of charms for his clients. Mumba pleaded for mercy saying he was sorry for going against the law and has learned a lesson from the time he came into custody. He asked the court to be lenient with him as he is a first offender who readily admitted the charge without wasting the courts time. Magistrate Chiwaula said Mumba was aware that having possession of pangolin skin without a certificate is illegal and therefore has himself to blame for finding himself in such a situation. Magistrate Chiwaula said it has become common for people to involve themselves in criminal activities and as a way of deterring others, he deserved to be punished. The court jailed Mumba five years imprisonment with hard labour.