Poacher fined K1m in Chikwawa

The Chikwawa First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday fined a 22-year old man K 1 million for illegally killing two warthogs in Majete Wildlife Reserve.

The warthogs are worth about K 2. 8 million.

The convict, Frank Kanyerere, pleaded not guilty to killing a protected species.

The offence–which contravenes Section 47 as read with Section 108 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 2017–attracts a maximum sentence of K2 million in fine or 4 years in jail.

Prosecutor for National Parks and Wildlife, Hastings Kawerenga, told the court that Kanyerere and six others–who are at large–killed two warthogs within Majete’s buffer zone.

Parks and Wildlife assistants apprehended Kanyerere after his accomplices escaped.

During his trial, he denied any wrongdoing, and the state lined up three witnesses.

He was found guilty as charged and, in mitigation, he complained that he’s often down with a heart attack; hence the need to give him a lighter sentence.

The prosecutor, however, asked the same court to mete out a meaningful sentence arguing poaching is a serious crime.

In his determination, First Grade Magistrate Gladstone Chirundu agreed with the prosecutor and handed down a K 1 million fine or, in default, 2-year jail term to deter other would-be offenders.

He hasn’t yet paid the fine.

Kanyerere comes from Kambalame Village in Traditional Authority Mlauli in Neno District.