THE Mazabuka Magistrate Court has sentenced six people to five years imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful possession of a live ground pangolin while two others remain at large. Officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife DNPW intercepted eight suspects at the Kafue Bridge Checkpoint on 8th November, 2025. Among those arrested were […]

THE Mazabuka Magistrate Court has sentenced six people to five years imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful possession of a live ground pangolin while two others remain at large.

Officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife DNPW intercepted eight suspects at the Kafue Bridge Checkpoint on 8th November, 2025.

Among those arrested were a senior police officer, a pastor, a traditional healer, a Zambia National Service ZNS civilian employee and two businesspersons.

The suspects were identified as Kapika Chomba, 51; Alexander Kaushi, 56; Charles Chali, 58; James Banda, 44; Danivelo Daka, 75; Magdalena Banda, 49; Timothy Konkola, 30; and Dennis Silungwe, 48.

They were charged with unlawful possession of a protected trophy, namely a live ground pangolin, contrary to the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.

The eight appeared before Magistrate Changa Chitabo at the Mazabuka Subordinate Court in December 2025 and pleaded not guilty.
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Trial proceedings lasted more than nine months and concluded on 7th August, 2026.

During the trial, Dennis Silungwe and Charles Chali absconded and remain at large and their trial will proceed once apprehended.

The court acquitted Kapika Chomba, a senior police officer, while convicting the other six. Alexander Kaushi, a businessman; James Banda, a ZNS civilian staff member; Danivelo Daka, a traditional healer; Magdalena Banda, a pastor; and Timothy Konkola, a businessman, were each sentenced to five years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a protected trophy.

The State has since appealed against the acquittal of Kapika Chomba.

The case highlights the continued threat posed by illegal pangolin trafficking. Pangolins are protected under Zambian law and are among the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world. Driven by demand for their scales and meat, their illegal removal from the wild threatens their survival and disrupts ecosystems.

The DNPW has urged members of the public to help protect pangolins by not buying, selling or keeping them.

September 29, 2026.
Credit: P2tv Zambia
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