By SYLVESTER MWALE –
THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) says fugitive Ben Simasiku who was arrested last week after being on Interpol wanted list for three years will not be extradited to Botswana where he is wanted.
ZAWA acting director general Kombe Kampamba said Simasiku would instead face the law in Zambia following his arrest in Livingstone by a joint team of police and wildlife officers.
Authorities in Botswana issued a red alert notice for Simasiku and three others in 2012 after they jumped bail while facing charges of illegal trade of ivory in that country.
Simasiku, 32, a Zambian of no fixed aboard was found with 17 pieces of ivory weighing 114.4 kilogrammes. There have been speculations that he would be extradited to face the Francistown Magistrate Court in Gaborone after his arrest.
But Mr Kampamba said in an interview during the week that the fugitive who is currently detained at Livingstone Police Station would not be sent to Botswana but tried within the Zambian courts.
“We need to have a legal agreement before sending someone to be tried in another country, you know there is also the issue of sovereignty,” he said.
“But this does not mean that he is a free man, we have competent courts here and we want to even warn other potential poachers that we are working 24/7 and we will not relent in safeguarding our wildlife.”
Mr Kampamba said the efforts made in arresting Simasiku were a clear indication that the law enforcement agency stood ready to ensure that wildlife offences did not go unpunished.
Meanwhile, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has hailed the operation that led to the arrest of Simasiku saying it signified the improved levels of law enforcement.
IFAW wildlife director, Kelvin Alie said: “Arrests are always good news in the fight against poaching and illegal trafficking because they indicate improved levels of law enforcement.”
Mr Alie said his organisation hoped that relevant authorities in Zambia and Botswana would collaborate with Interpol and others to ensure the dismantling of networks associated with poachers.
“And we look forward to a successful conviction and prosecution of this notorious ivory trafficker,” he said.
Apart from Simasiku, Botswana is still looking for Sandra Simasiku, 22, and 26 year-old Yvonne Minganja after they disappeared after they were found in possession of elephant tusks as well.