As cases of poaching animals in protected areas continue to increase in the country, the Ntchisi first grade magistrate court has sentenced a man aged 47 to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour for killing an elephant.
Ntchisi Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Gladson M’bumpha identified the convict as Medson Msongazaudzu.
According to M’bumpha, the court heard that on 6 September this year a well wisher tipped Parks and Wildlife officials that the convict had gone to hunt Elephants in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.
M’bumpha said the Parks and Wildlife officials and police officers at Ntchisi Police station followed the tip and arrested the convict on September 8 2017.
In court, the convict pleaded guilty to three charges: of being found in possession of firearm, of entering into a protected area without permission and killing of protected species.
In her rulling, first grade magistrate Dorothy Kalua said the offences are serious hence the convict deserved a stiff sentence to send as a warning to others with similar deeds. She then sentenced him to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Medson Msongazaudzu comes from Mtawayira Village in the area of Traditional Authority Nthondo in Ntchisi.
https://malawi24.com/2017/11/