Pastor, Accomplice Sentenced to Six Years for Possession of Live Pangolin in Mangochi

The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Andrew Kombo, 33, a pastor at Malindi Faith Ministries, and James Wilson, 55, to six years imprisonment with hard labour for illegal possession of a live pangolin, contrary to the National Parks and Wildlife Act.

According to Mangochi Police spokesperson Amina Tepani Daudi, the two were arrested on July 10, 2025, at M’baluku Market in Mangochi after they were found attempting to sell the endangered animal to prospective buyers.

During court proceedings, Inspector Amos Mwase, who prosecuted the case, told the court that although the two convicts pleaded guilty and asked for leniency citing family responsibilities, their actions posed a serious threat to wildlife conservation efforts.

“This offence is grave as it undermines efforts to protect endangered species and threatens the tourism industry, which heavily relies on wildlife,” Mwase said.

In delivering the sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande agreed with the prosecution and emphasized the need to deter others from engaging in the illegal wildlife trade.

The convicts are from Khuyu Village, Traditional Authority Mkumba in Likoma District, and Mtiwule Village, Traditional Authority Makanjira in Mangochi, respectively.

Chande concluded by saying that the sentence should serve as a strong warning to others considering similar offences.