Mzimba Court Jails Man for Killing Wildlife in Vwaza Wildlife Reserve
Published on October 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM by Edgar Naitha
The First Grade Magistrate’s Court sitting at Kazuni in Mzimba has sentenced Elijah Banda, 30, to four years imprisonment with hard labour for entering, possessing a weapon, and killing a wild animal in a protected area without a permit.
State prosecutor, who is also senior assistant parks and wildlife officer, John Mabethi told the court that on October 19, 2025, Banda and two others went fishing at Lake Kazuni inside Vwaza Wildlife Reserve.
Rangers on night patrol found the group leaving the reserve. Two suspects escaped, but Banda was arrested with seven kilogrammes of fish and a mosquito net.
Banda pleaded guilty and offered no mitigation. Mabethi asked for a stiff sentence, noting that one of the offences carries a maximum penalty of 30 years and that the act occurred during the fish breeding season, using gear that trapped fingerlings.
Passing sentence, first grade magistrate Cuthbert Phiri said killing wildlife in protected areas threatens species survival. He sentenced Banda to one year and three months, four years, and two years for the three counts respectively, to run concurrently.
The court also ordered the destruction of the fishing gear.
Banda comes from Eneya Village, Traditional Authority Mpherembe in Mzimba.
