Man jailed 18 months IHL for destroying forest produce

CRS July 26, 2020

Less than a minute

Third Grade Magistrate Court in Dowan has convicted and sentenced 18 year old, Aubrey Banda to 18 months Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) for destroying forest produce.

The Court through State Prosecutor, Agnes Mphinga heard that Banda on July 19, 2020 at Kongwe Forest Reserve in Dowa District was found destroying forest produce by cutting down trees.

She told the Court that Banda was arrested by patrol team in Kongwe Forest Reserve, where he was found cutting down trees

Appearing before Court, Banda pleaded guilty to a charge of destroying forest produce contrary to Section 64 of the Forest Act.

Third Grade Magistrate, Harrison Stick concurred with the state’s submission for a stiff sentence to send as a warning to other would be offenders.

He sentenced the convict to 18 months IHL to deter others with similar intentions.

Banda comes from Tembo Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Msakambewa in Dowa District.

Mana/tnm/jd/tha