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Two men sobbed silently as Lusaka Magistrates’ Court sentenced them to six years of hard labor for their involvement in the brutal killing of 17 lions, whose bones they sold for profit.
Alick Bulayani, a 45-year-old car dealer from John Laing, and Erasmas Mukalahani, a 32-year-old miner from Maamba, were found guilty of illegal possession of a protected animal under Section 130(1) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No.14 of 2015.
On November 28, 2021, the two men were found in possession of 17 lion skulls and other bones, which contributed to the illegal wildlife trade.
Magistrate Chrispine Hampungani acknowledged the defendants’ plea for leniency, noting they were first-time offenders with no prior criminal records.
Through their lawyers, they expressed remorse, claiming they had learned from their mistakes and wished to advocate for wildlife conservation.
They also argued they had families and hoped to use their experience to discourage others from committing similar offenses.
However, the court was resolute in its decision, emphasizing the severity of the crime. Magistrate Hampungani highlighted the law’s mandate for a minimum 10-year sentence.
Considering the large number of lions killed, the maximum 10-year sentence was deemed appropriate.
Nonetheless, due to the men’s status as first-time offenders, the court sentenced them to six years of hard labor.
Prosecution witness Bright Nkhima, a park ranger from the Chilanga Wildlife headquarters, detailed the undercover operation that led to their arrests.
Acting on intelligence, officers set up a sting at Cosmopolitan Mall, posing as buyers. Bulayani and Mukalahani agreed to meet at Makeni Mall, where Bulayani handed over a box of lion bones in exchange for K150,000.
The officers arrested the suspects, and a subsequent search of Bulayani’s home uncovered additional lion bones.
The bones, analyzed by molecular biologists, were confirmed to belong to Panthera leo—African lions. In total, the confiscated bones weighed 222.4 kilograms.
Witnesses confirmed that Mukalahani had been the link to potential buyers. A third accomplice, Lazarus Siamanjime, remains at large.
Despite Mukalahani’s defense that he was merely collecting money from a vehicle sale, the court found his explanation unconvincing.
Magistrate Hampungani concluded that both men had actively sought out a market for the lion bones, showing clear intent to profit from their illegal activities.
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