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The magistrate’s court in Mulanje has denied bail to two people accused of possessing a live pangolin.
Both Bwanali and Juwalo who come from Takhiwa village in Traditional Authority Njema in Mulanje district are answering charges of illegal possession of specimen of listed species and dealing in government trophy contravening the National Parks and Wildlife Act, but both are denying the case.
They were arrested on May 9, 2021 while selling the protected animal.
On 8th June 2021, the state finished parading its four witnesses; three police officers and an official from the Department of National Parks and Wild Life against the two.
Giving her ruling on bail application, Magistrate Shaheeda Hannif Bakili said although it is a constitutional right, releasing the two on bail at this stage would not be good in a pursuit of justice.
“The evidence given by the state is so overwhelming and your bail application is therefore denied,” Bakili said.
Meanwhile, the case being prosecuted by the Regional Prosecutions Officer for South East Region, Senior Superintendent Florida Dzimbiri, has been adjourned to June 22, 2021 for ruling on whether the suspect has a case to answer or not.
