Duo docked over Govt trophy

TWO women have pleaded not guilty of unlawful possession of 178.6kgs of assorted wildlife meat of both threatened wildlife and non-protected animals in Itezhi Tezhi Magistrates Court. Annie Kawalika, 36, of Mazabuka in Southern Province and Gladys Mungabwa, 43, of Shanfunaula village in Chief Kaingu’s Chiefdom in Itezhi Tezhi District in Central Province are both charged of two counts. In count one the duo are charged with unlawful possession of meat of protected animal contrary to section 130(1) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of the offence allege that the duo, on 18th July 2020, in Itezhi Tezhi, jointly and whilst acting together, had in their possession assorted meat of protected animals namely 35.1kgs of Sable Antelope meat and 10.1kgs of Roan Antelope Meat without a certificate of ownership issued to them by the Director of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife in respect thereof. In the second count, the duo is charged with unlawful possession of government trophy, contrary to section 97(1) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015. Particulars of this offence allege that on the same day, the duo, in Itezhi Tezhi jointly and whilst working together, had in their possession assorted Game meat namely 94.4kgs of Buffalo meat and 39kgs of warthog meat without a certificate of ownership issued to them by the Director of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife in respect thereof. When the matter came up for plea  before  Itezhi Tezhi  Magistrate Mugala Chalwe  ,  Kawalika and Mungabwa  pleaded not  guilty to both counts  and the matter has since been adjourned   to August 3rd, 2020 for  commencement of trial. If found, guilty the duo will be given a prescribed sentence of five years for the first count. Roan Antelope and, the giant Sable Antelope which usually roam in the savanna woodlands are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’ s critically endangered species. – ZANIS The Sun