A well-intentioned act of trying to save a tortoise that had flipped on its back, has landed a medical student in boiling legal waters.
Muyunda Mwangala 22, of twelfth avenue Rockfield Chalala now faces a charge of unlawful possession of a protected trophy contrary to section 97 (1) (2) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 as read with Statutory Instrument No. 41 of 2016 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on November 12, 2024, Mwangala whilst acting together with other persons unknown possessed a government trophy namely; a live Tortoise without a valid license or permit.
During plea before magistrate Mwandu Sakala, Mwangala explained that on her way to her boarding house, she came across the flipped tortoise that was struggling to move.
She said due to excessive heat, she saved it and took it to her home and created a safe haven for it in a big basin for it to cool off, and to her surprise she was later visited by officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission who reported her to the department of wildlife.
She said she did not know that a tortoise is among the protected species.
Magistrate Sakala entered an equivocal plea of not guilty owing to the student’s explanation.
Trial commences on Janauray 23, 2025.
Kalemba December 19, 2024.
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