Mumbwa | January, 7, 2026 – Zambia\u2019s commitment to the protection of its wildlife resources was indorsed by the Mumbwa Magistrates\u2019 Court, which has sentenced a local man to five years\u2019 imprisonment for the unlawful possession of protected game meat.
The court found Shaderick Shikabondo guilty of possessing 31 kilograms of Kafue Lechwe meat without lawful authority, contrary to the provisions of the Wildlife Act. The offence came to light following a tip-off received by wildlife officers, who subsequently obtained a search warrant and conducted a lawful search at the convict\u2019s residence. The search led to the recovery of the illegally butchered meat, for which Shikabondo failed to produce any permit or certificate.
In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency. However, Magistrate A. Walusiku emphasised the seriousness of wildlife-related offences and the broader implications they carry for the nation. The court noted that Zambia\u2019s wildlife constitutes an irreplaceable national asset and an integral part of the country\u2019s natural heritage, deserving of robust legal protection for the benefit of present and future generations.
In passing sentence, the court applied the mandatory provisions of the Wildlife Act, which prescribe a minimum custodial sentence of five years\u2019 imprisonment with hard labour for the offence committed. The law expressly excludes the option of a fine, reflecting the legislature\u2019s intention to impose firm and deterrent penalties for crimes against protected species.
The National Prosecution Authority welcomes the conviction and sentence, which demonstrate the effective application of the law in the fight against wildlife crime. The successful prosecution was the result of coordinated efforts involving concerned members of the community, wildlife enforcement officers, and prosecutors, highlighting the importance of inter-agency cooperation and public participation in safeguarding Zambia\u2019s natural resources.
This judgment serves as a clear reminder that offences against wildlife will be met with decisive legal consequences. The protection of Zambia\u2019s wildlife is not merely a policy objective, but a legal obligation upheld through the courts and enforced by the State in the national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Mumbwa | January, 7, 2026 – Zambia\u2019s commitment to the protection of its wildlife resources was indorsed by the Mumbwa Magistrates\u2019 Court, which has sentenced a local man to five years\u2019 imprisonment for the unlawful possession of protected game meat.The court found Shaderick Shikabondo guilty of possessing 31 kilograms of Kafue Lechwe meat without lawful […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-5586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n