Kasempa poachers warned

The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) in Kasempa has called on residents in the district to stop harbouring poachers.

ZAWA officer in charge, Alex Situmbeko, told ZANIS in an interview that some residents in the district have been accommodating poachers from foreign countries who also supply the locals with firearms in exchange with game meat.

Mr Situmbeko was speaking immediately after receiving an AK 47 assault rifle which was recovered by senior village headman, Munongo Makungu, from a villager in Kelongwa area about 72 km from Kasempa township.

He said that the gun in question was being used for poaching by suspected poachers of Fubisha village in Mitumba area.

Mr Situmbeko said the rapid diminishing of wildlife in the district is due to lack of support from local residents and called on traditional leaders to help the authority combat poaching and instead protect wildlife.

He also warned people of Nyoka, Mako, Kelongwa and Kasonso to restrain from the infamous activity.

Meanwhile, has pledged to render maximum support to government through ZAWA offices in making sure that poaching is reduced in the area.

Senior headman Makungu said the area has already formed a ZAWA neighbourhood committee and government has promised to put up a camp that will enhance operations and bring cuprites to book.

Two year ago, ZAWA officers in Kasempa district managed to recover nine AK 47 rifles during a village sweep program in the same area.

Photo Credit : C.C. Philly