The Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Rumphi has sentenced a 44-year-old man, James Katumbi, to eight years imprisonment with hard labour after he was found in possession of a specimen of a listed species, raw ivory.

The court heard from state prosecutor, Senior Assistant Parks and Wildlife Officer John Mabethi, that police received a tip-off indicating Katumbi was storing ivory in his home. A follow-up operation led to his arrest and the seizure of raw ivory weighing 18.5 kilograms.

Katumbi pleaded guilty to the charge and pleaded for leniency, citing that he is a first-time offender and the sole caretaker of his elderly mother.

However, in his submission, Mabethi urged the court to impose a stiff sentence, arguing that individuals found in possession of ivory contribute to the dema

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