By Scoop Reporter
THE Chama Subordinate Court has sentenced poacher to seven years imprisonment for illegal possession of elephant ivory weighing 10 kilograms.
Ministry of Tourism Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe – Zacks has named the dissident as Lovemore Nkhowani, 60, a former wildlife police officer, turned into a notorious elephant poacher.
Mr. Kalembwe says the dissident, nicknamed Mbanje, was charged with one count of unlawful possession of prescribed trophy, elephant ivory, contrary to section 130(1) of the Zambia wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.
He says officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) arrested Nkhowani on May 26, 2020.
“The ivory is suspected to have been illegally harvested from an elephant poached in West Musalangu Game Management Area. In sentencing him the court told the suspect that that as someone who was once a wildlife police officer under the department, he should have known the importance of conserving wildlife.
“The court reminded Nkhowani that his duty was to protect wildlife and educate his community on the importance of conservation rather than to engage in poaching. The court also stated that it hoped the punishment handed to Nkhowani would deter other officers from committing similar offences,” Mr. Kalembwe said.
