The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate`s Court has convicted a Chinese national Lin Yun Hua for wildlife crimes.
Hua has been found guilty of two counts of dealing with 103 pieces of rhino horn and money laundering.
The court has however acquitted a co-accused who is a Malawian national Jimmy Mkwezalamba on a count of dealing in government trophy.
“From the evidence that was brought before court and in the way the manner the proceedings proceeded, we are satisfied with the way the court has decided because the court decides on the law and the evidence.
“So, as office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as well as the other law enforcement agencies concerned in the investigation and prosecution of this matter, we must say that in accordance with the law and evidence we are satisfied in the way the court has made this decision,” said Senior State Advocate, Pilirani Masanjala.
However, defense lawyer Chrispine Ndalama has expressed a concern over a conduct by the complainant; Department of National Parks and Wildlife for what he called prejudicing court proceedings.
“We have confidence in the court but we wanted that only fair comments should be made about things that are in court, it’s not right to be making comments that can prejudice a person while the person has no chance to respond to them, so the court agreed with us,” said Ndalama.
Reacting to the defense`s concerns, Masanjala said the State will take into the account the concerns raised as directed by the court.
“We have taken those things under advisement and you have heard the directions that the court has given, the parties will take those directions into consideration and relay them accordingly,” said the Senior State Advocate.
The Court has since set 19th July 2021 as a day for pre-sentence hearing where the state is expected to parade witnesses that are going assist the court in sentencing the convicted Chinese national.
So far, 13 syndicate members (9 Chinese and 4 Malawian nationals) have received prison sentences on a variety of offences related to the possession of firearms and protected or listed species, including pangolin, rhino horn, hippo teeth and elephant ivory.
High Court Judge Justice Violet Chipao delivered the judgement on Friday as she earlier commenced hearing the case when she was Chief Resident Magistrate before her appointment to the upper court as judge.
