Kaputa Court convicts three for illegal entry into National Park

Kaputa Court convicts three for illegal entry into National Park

Kaputa June 24, 2014—The Kaputa Magistrates Court has convicted three people for illegal entry in Nsumbu National Park and entry with weapons.

Among those convicted is Gehas Sinyangwe 32, of Mpulungu district who was convicted for entering in National Park with two bird traps.

Kaputa Magistrate, Victor Mukupa fined Sinyangwe K2, 000 in the first count for illegal entry in Nsumbu National park contrary to the  to Section 15 as read with section 131 a and b of the Zambia wildlife Authority (ZAWA)  Act  of 1998 or face nine months simple imprisonment in default.

He further fined Sinyangwe K1, 800 in the second count for entering the park with weapons contrary to Section 17 sub section 1of the Zambia wildlife Act of 1998 or face eight months imprisonment in default.

Magistrate Mukupa has also convicted Lawrence Kasongole 73 and Oswell Kutepa 51 both of Chiengi district for illegal entry in Mweru Wantipa National Park.

Kasongole has since been fined K1, 900 in count one for illegal entry in the park or face seven months imprisonment in default.

In count two Kasongole has been fine K1, 700 for entering the park with wire snares, or face six months imprisonment in default with all the cases running concurrently.

Meanwhile, in the same court a juvenile from the Democratic Republic of Zambia (DRC) has pleaded not guilty to being in unlawful possession of two bags of 50 Kilograms of dry bubble fish during the fish ban period.

The named boy 17, from Mpweto who took plea before the courts yesterday denied the charge but agreed to being in possession of the fish during fish ban without license from the fisheries department.

He told the court that in February this year, he ran away from ZAWA officers leaving his motorbike but claimed that he was running away from the officers because he feared that they will arrest him for not having a helmet rather than being in possession of the fish.

He said the fish was meant for an unknown woman whom he gave a lift and claimed that he did not know that she was carrying fish.

According to him the woman said she was carrying clothes and was going to a place in Kaputa and only wanted a lift.

The court has since adjourned the case to June 30 for commencement of trail.