Four convicted in Lusaka Court for illegal possession of live Pangolin

The Lusaka Magistrate Court on July 28, 2026, convicted four people for illegal possession of a live pangolin.

Judge Mutinta Mwenya convicted Lutangu Namushi, Nawa Pelekelo, Abigail Sitali and Melody Mangala for Illegal Possession of a Protected Animal contrary to Section 130(1)(2) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.

The case was prosecuted by Levison Siamasona of the National Prosecution Authority, according to a statement issued in Lusakaby Authority.

The Court heard that on February 1, 2026, officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife apprehended the four at Novare Mall, along Great North Road, during an intelligence-led operation.

The officers, acting with an informant who posed as a buyer, recovered a live pangolin weighing seven kilogrames concealed in a blue laptop bag. The pangolin was sourced from Kalabo and the accused had no certificate of ownership.

In convicting them, the Court found that the State had proved joint possession through corroborated evidence, including forensic extraction of deleted photos and video of the pangolin dated January 30, 2026 from the accused’s phones, and expert identification confirming the animal as a protected species under Statutory Instrument No. 42 of 2016.

The Court dismissed the defence that the accused were at the mall to collect a SIM card after a funeral as contradictory and an afterthought.

The accused have been convicted and now face a mandatory prison term of not less than five years without the option of a fine.

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