5 Lusaka residents sentenced to 5 years for pangolin trafficking

A Lusaka court has sentenced five people to five years in prison with hard labor for illegally possessing a live ground pangolin. Lusaka Magistrates Court convicted Lutangu Namushi, 35; Melody Mwangala, 39; Abigail Sitali, 22; Nawa Pelekelo, 33; and Peter Mukela, 32. The five pleaded guilty to the charge. Prosecutors said the group was arrested

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A Lusaka court has sentenced five people to five years in prison with hard labor for illegally possessing a live ground pangolin.

Lusaka Magistrates Court convicted Lutangu Namushi, 35; Melody Mwangala, 39; Abigail Sitali, 22; Nawa Pelekelo, 33; and Peter Mukela, 32. The five pleaded guilty to the charge.

Prosecutors said the group was arrested on Feb. 1, 2026, at Novare Mall in possession of a 7-kilogram pangolin. Authorities said the animal was sourced from Kalabo District and was allegedly intended for sale to foreign buyers.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife said the prosecution shows that intelligence-led operations are disrupting wildlife trafficking. The department noted that pangolins are globally threatened and play a key role in ecosystems.

Authorities urged the public to reject the illegal wildlife trade and to report suspicious activity to police or the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

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