The accused persons: Mayunyi Mwenda, Liswaniso Walubita, and Mbololwa Mutemwa, stood charged with three counts of possession of protected Trophy contrary to Section 130 (1) of the Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia and one count of being in possession of Government Trophy contrary to Section 129 (1) of the Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia.

Brief facts are that on the 17th day of August, 2024 in the Senanga District of the Western Province, Mayunyi Mwenda, a Peasant farmer, was found in possession of 2 Kilograms of Hippo Meat and 2 Kilograms of Otter Meat without a certificate of ownership from the Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). Upon interrogation by officers from DNPW, who apprehended him, he disclosed that he obtained the said meat from Liswaniso Walubita, a Retired officer from the Office of the President in Senanga. A follow-up was conducted at the residence of Liswaniso Walubita, where a search was made in his presence, and he was found to be in possession of 111.7 Kilograms of Hippo Meat. When A2-Liswaniso Walubita was apprehended, he led the officers to the apprehension of A3-Mbololwa Mutemwa, who was also found in possession of 37 Kilograms of Hippo Meat in his house. Subsequently, the three accused persons were officially arrested and charged with the subject offence.

The Accused persons pleaded not guilty before Hon. Musonda. The matter proceeded to trial, with the prosecution, led by Senior Public Prosecutor, Mr. Fred Samende, calling in aid 3 witnesses. At the close of the prosecution’s case, all three accused persons were put on their defence.

In delivering its judgement on 14th May, 2025, the court noted that the accused person did not deny having been in possession of the said protected trophy. Further, the court observed that all the accused persons admitted in cross-examination that they knew it is an offence to be in possession of a protected trophy. In addition, the Court noted that none of the Accused Persons had a certificate of ownership from the Director General of the DNPW.

The Court stated that, with the rise of cases endangering wild animals, the Courts will not hesitate to protect wildlife. Thereafter, all three accused persons were convicted and sentenced to 5 years each. However, A1 has been acquitted on the second count.