People in Mzimba told to protect forests

Mzimba district forestry officer Masozi Mhoni has asked people in the district to protect forests and warned them of stiffer punishment if caught committing forest-related crimes.

She said this on Saturday during a court users and stakeholders committee meeting organised by Governance for Solutions with funds from United States Agency for International Development to highlight factors fuelling deforestation in the district.

During the meeting, Mhonifaulted lenient sentences where offenders pay small fines, saying they do not deter people from committing similar crimes.

She said: “We are concerned as a department due to the high rate of deforestation in Chimaliro, Mtangatanga and Perekezi forest reserves for illegal charcoal production.

“Mzimba has become the new hub of illegal charcoal production since it is one of the districts remaining with forestry cover.”

Mhoni said the new amended Forestry Act of 2019 imposes stiffer penalties for forest-related crimes, which includes 10 years imprisonment or a fine of up to K5 million for being found in possession of charcoal and 20 years imprisonment for causing bush fires.

On his part, Mzimba first grade magistrate Radson Gamaliel said the court gives penalties to various offenders depending on the evidence provided in the courts and seriousness of the crime.

He said: “There is need for the public to understand how the courts work as we follow stipulated laws when sentencing such offenders.

“However, we understand the damage which is being caused on our forests and we make sure such cases are treated with urgency and punishments given accordingly.”