The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate`s Court has ruled that a Chinese national Lin Yun Hua has a case to answer in his illegal possession of specimen of listed species and other charges.

The Chinese National is being accused together with his Malawian counterpart Jimmy Mkwezalamba who is answering a charge of dealing in government trophies.

According to Chief Resident Magistrate Violate Chipawo, the court is satisfied with evidence that the State brought before her court which included parading of 7 witnesses.

Lin is answering charges of illegal possession of specimen of listed species which is contrary to section 86 (1) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, dealing in Government Trophies; contrary to section 91 (1), conspiracy to commit a felony and money laundering.

The Court has since considered submissions prepared by both the State and Defense in the trial.

The Chinese national was at large until August 16, 2019 when he was arrested in Lilongwe`s Area 9 at his friend’s house and ever since he has been on remand at Maula Prison.

The Court has since set September 18, 2020 to commence hearing the case on part of the defense side.

Malawi, which has always been a regional trafficking and processing hub for wildlife trafficking syndicates operating in the Southern part of Africa, is now making strides in dealing with the vice.