Zambia : Five Lusaka Residents Jailed Five Years For Possession Of Pangolin

The Lusaka Magistrates Court has sentenced five people to five years imprisonment each with hard labour for illegal possession of a live ground pangolin.

Handing down judgment on 28th July, 2026, Magistrate Mutinta Mwenya convicted Lutangu Namushi, 35, Melody Mwangala, 39, Abigail Sitali, 22, and Nawa Pelekelo, 33, after a full trial.

Peter Mukela, 32, had earlier changed his plea to guilty on 15th May, 2026 and was also sentenced to five years with hard labour.

According to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) the five were arrested on 1st February, 2026 at Novare Mall in Lusaka during an intelligence-led operation where officers found them in possession of a live ground pangolin weighing about seven kilograms.

Investigations established that the pangolin was sourced from Kalabo District in Western Province and transported to Lusaka where it was allegedly intended for sale to foreign buyers.

All five were initially charged with illegal possession of a protected species under the Zambia Wildlife Act.

DNPW has described the successful prosecution as evidence that intelligence-led operations are working to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks.

“Pangolins are protected under the Zambia Wildlife Act and are among the most heavily trafficked mammals globally due to demand for their scales and meat,” DNPW stated.

 “Removing them from the wild not only threatens the survival of the species but also undermines the health of ecosystems in which they play an essential role, DNPW said.

The Department urged members of the public to help protect pangolins by refusing to buy, sell or keep them, and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or DNPW office.

The conviction comes as Government and conservation partners intensify efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and safeguard Zambia’s biodiversity for tourism and ecosystem health.

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