Copyright faceofmalawi
The First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Salima District has sentenced 28-year-old Tafatatha Lefani to five years imprisonment with hard labour for killing a protected animal in Thuma Game Reserve. Prosecutor Pemphero Dzanjalimodzi told the court that Lefani was arrested by Thuma Game Reserve rangers last week after he was found hunting using dogs and other weapons, during which he killed a kudu, a protected game animal. Lefani pleaded guilty to the charge and asked for leniency, citing family responsibilities. However, the prosecution opposed the request, noting that this was his second conviction for a similar offence. In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Antony Banda emphasized that the killing of protected wildlife harms both tourism and conservation efforts, hence the need for a stiff punishment to deter others. Tafatatha Lefani comes from Chilalo Village, under Chief Tambala in Dedza District.
