Two arrested over dead pangolin

Police in Lilongwe on Thursday arrested Wiseman Sipiliyano, 37, and Owen Nkhwazi, 32, for allegedly being found in possession of a dead pangolin at Likuni Bypass round about in the district.

According to Deputy Spokesperson for Lilongwe Police, Foster Benjamin, police detectives got a tip that the duo was offering for sale the protected species.

“Immediately, the law enforcers moved in and intercepted the suspects at the roundabout. A search into the suspects’ laptop bag found a dead pangolin, which led to the seizure [of the animal] and arrest of the suspects,” he said.

Benjamin said the duo has been charged with possession of listed species, contrary to Section 86 of National Parks and Wildlife Act.

The suspects will appear before the court soon to answer to the charge.

Sipiliyano comes from Kupingama Village in Traditional Authority Chilikumwendo in Dedza District while Nkhwazi hails from Ziyamu Village in T.A. Malengamzoma in Nkhata Bay District.