Three Zambian Nationals Sentenced to Nine Years for Poaching
Three Zambian nationals, identified as Liston Muchelo (22), Alex Kakoma (22), and Martin Silitshebo (36), were sentenced to nine years in prison each by a Zimbabwean court on Wednesday. The trio was arrested on Tuesday in Katombola, near the Kazungula border post, for engaging in poaching activities.
Their arrest came after they fired two shots at game rangers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire that led to the deaths of two of their accomplices. Along with poaching, they were also found guilty of illegally entering Zimbabwe and possessing ivory.
Upon their apprehension, the trio was found in possession of 15 elephant tusks weighing 128.82 kilograms, firearms, and six live rounds of ammunition. Investigations revealed that on March 19, the poachers entered Zimbabwe from Botswana through an illegal bush entry point near the Kazungula border post.
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Although their initial intention was to cross back into Zambia, the accused persons proceeded to the Magumbeze area in Zimbabwe, where they were eventually arrested by authorities.
Fulton Mangwanya, the director-general of Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), highlighted the severity of poaching during a recent address to graduates at Matusadona National Park in Kariba. Mangwanya emphasized the need for intensified efforts to combat this illegal activity.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by wildlife authorities in the region, as poaching continues to be a significant concern. Notably, in December 2020, two ZimParks rangers were overpowered and drowned by four suspected Zambian men they had apprehended for poaching in Matusadona National Park.
