The Lusaka Magistrate Court has sentenced two men to five years imprisonment each for unlawful possession of elephant ivory. Lusaka Magistrate Anna Holland sentenced Bydon Ndolo, 30, and West Ng’andu, 48, to jail after finding them guilty of unlawfully possessing a prescribed…

The Lusaka Magistrate Court has sentenced two men to five years imprisonment each for unlawful possession of elephant ivory.

Lusaka Magistrate Anna Holland sentenced Bydon Ndolo, 30, and West Ng’andu, 48, to jail after finding them guilty of unlawfully possessing a prescribed trophy under the Zambia Wildlife Act.

According to a statement issued by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), the two were apprehended on 1st May, 2025 along Mumbwa Road in Lusaka together with Lighton Nyirongo, 34, on suspicion of selling elephant ivory.

The three were found in possession of five cut pieces of elephant ivory reportedly intended for the Congolese market.

They were charged with unlawful possession of a prescribed trophy and denied the charges before proceeding to trial.

Delivering judgement on 23rd October, 2026, Magistrate Holland convicted Ndolo and Ng’andu and sentenced them to five years imprisonment effective from 2nd May, 2025.

The court however acquitted Nyirongo, ruling that the evidence linking him to the offence was insufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

DNPW said elephants are among the country’s most important wildlife species, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by dispersing seeds and shaping habitats across savannas and woodlands.

The Department noted that despite their ecological significance, elephants face growing pressure from poaching, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and illegal wildlife trade, with demand for ivory remaining a major driver of poaching across Africa.

The conviction, reflects government’s ongoing commitment to combating wildlife crime and reinforces the shared responsibility of safeguarding the country’s natural heritage for future generations.

Meanwhile, the Magistrate Court has also fined two men 80,000 kwacha each for unlawful possession of timber.

Lusaka Magistrate Webster Milumbe fined Chimishilo Fundolo, 53, and Gift Musole, 33, after they pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of forest produce and biological resources.

According to a statement from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), the case stems from a joint operation conducted on 15th June, 2026 by DNPW and the Forestry Department in Shibuyunji District, Central Province.

Five suspects were apprehended during the operation namely Charles Chisangu, 30, Gaskell Siansalama, 26, Mutunda Mihinda, 25, Chimishilo Fundolo, 53, and Gift Musole, 33.

They were found in possession of assorted timber reportedly sourced from Luampa district and destined for Buseko Market in Lusaka.

Following the arrest, four suspects – Chisangu, Mihinda, Fundolo and Musole  were charged with unlawful possession of forest produce and biological resources under Zambia’s forest and environmental laws.

Appearing before Magistrate Milumbe on 23rd October, 2026, Fundolo and Musole pleaded guilty and were each fined 80,000 kwacha payable by 3rd November, 2026, failure to which they will serve nine months imprisonment.

The remaining two accused pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned to 13th November, 2026 for trial.

DNPW said timber is an important natural resource that supports livelihoods, local industries and healthy ecosystems, but illegal logging and timber trafficking threaten Zambia’s forests, contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss and habitat degradation.

The Department has encouraged members of the public to report suspected illegal logging, timber trafficking and other environmental crimes to the Forestry Department, DNPW or Zambia Police Service, noting that public cooperation plays an important role in protecting the country’s natural resources.