The Chama Subordinate Court has sentenced a former Wildlife Police Officer to seven years imprisonment for illegal possession of Elephant Ivory weighing 10 kilograms.

Confirming the development to Money FM News, Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe said 60 year old Lovemore Nkhowani who turned into a notorious elephant poacher was charged with one count of Unlawful Possession of Prescribed Trophy, which is Elephant Ivory, contrary to the Zambia wildlife Act.

Mr. Kalembwe explained that officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife arrested Nkhowani on 26th May 2020, adding that the
Ivory is suspected to have been illegally harvested from an elephant poached in West Musalangu Game Management Area.

“In sentencing him, the court told the suspect that as someone who was once a Wildlife Police Officer under the department, he should have known the importance of conserving wildlife. The Court reminded him that his duty was to protect wildlife and educate his community on the importance of conservation rather than to engage in poaching.”

“The court also stated that it hoped the punishment handed to Nkhowani would deter other officers from committing similar offences,” Mr. Kalembwe said.

Mr. Kalembwe warned that the Ministry will see to it that all perpetrators of Wildlife crime face the wrath of the law.