Two Jailed for Illegal Charcoal Production in Thuma Forest Reserve
Published on May 25, 2026 at 4:29 PM by Evance Kapito
The Salima First Grade Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Gift Zamanemba and Chikondi Manyowa to 30 months imprisonment with hard labour for producing charcoal without a permit in Thuma Forest Reserve.
State prosecutor Memory Shawa told the court that on May 10, 2026, forest rangers conducting patrols within the reserve found the two operating charcoal kilns.
According to the prosecution, the suspects admitted committing the offence when questioned before later pleading guilty in court.
During submissions, the state asked for a tougher sentence, arguing that despite continued awareness campaigns and warnings, communities are still destroying the forest reserve through illegal charcoal production.
First Grade Magistrate Imran Phiri agreed with the state and also handed the convicts eight months imprisonment with hard labour for illegally entering the forest reserve, as well as another eight months for conveying prohibited weapons.
