Two Men Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing Elephant Ivory
Published on June 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM by Edgar Naitha
A First Grade Magistrate Court in Malomo, Ntchisi, has sentenced Willard Kapichira and Lloyd Banda to 10 years imprisonment with hard labor (IHL) for possession of listed species, specifically elephant ivory.
The duo was arrested on April 18, 2025, with 11.40 kilograms of ivory allegedly obtained from Nkhotakota Game Reserve.
The court heard through police prosecutor Inspector James Muyira that the duo committed the offense of possessing a specimen of a listed species without a license or a valid certificate of ownership, contrary to section 86(1) as read with section 110B(b) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, cap:07 of the laws of Malawi.
During the sentencing, the prosecutor emphasized the seriousness of the offense, highlighting its detrimental impact on Malawi’s tourism industry and wildlife conservation efforts. However, the defense mitigated on behalf of the suspects, noting that they were first-time offenders.
After considering both submissions, Magistrate Damiano Banda handed down the 10-year sentence, underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting the country’s natural resources and combating wildlife trafficking.
Willard Kapichira, 28, hails from Suwat village, while Lloyd Banda, 30 years old, hails from Chambo village, both under Traditional Authority Nthondo in Ntchisi.
