Police publicist for Chikwawa Foster Benjamin said the warthogs were worth about K 2.8 million and the convict pleaded not guilty to killing of the endangered and protected species.

“Parks and Wildlife assistants apprehended Kanyerere after his accomplices escaped. During his trial, he denied any wrongdoing, and the state lined up three witnesses.” said Benjamin.

In his submissions the prosecutor for National Parks and Wildlife, Hastings Kawerenga, told the court that Kanyerere and six others--who are at large--killed two warthogs within Majete's buffer zone.

In his mitigation, the convict complained that he suffers from a heart problem hence the need to give him a lighter sentence.

Kawerenga asked the same court to mete out a meaningful sentence arguing poaching is a serious crime.

In his determination, first grade magistrate Gladstone Chirundu agreed with the prosecutor and handed down a K 1 million fine or, in default, 2-year jail term to deter other would-be offenders.

The convict has not yet settled the fine.

Commenting on the sentence the Director of Wildlife and Parks Brighton Kumchedwa welcomed the judgement.

“This is a landmark judgement, the way this case has concluded shows that as a country we are really committed to root out wildlife crimes. This judgment will scare other would be offenders,” said Kumchedwa.

The offence he was answering contravenes Section 47 as read with Section 108 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 2017 and it attracts a maximum sentence of K2 million in fine or 4 years in jail.

Kanyerere comes from Kambalame Village in Traditional Authority Mlauli in Neno District.