Chinese man accused of smuggling rhino horns in Malawi pleads ‘not guilty’

Described by government as ‘Malawi’s most wanted suspected wildlife trafficker and notorious king pin”, Chinese national Lin Yun Hua on Monday October 21 2019  pleaded not guilty in the ongoing rhino horn smuggling case at the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe.

Ndalama: The change sheet is  too general for an accused persons to defend themselves
Appearing alongside Malawian James Mkwezalamba, Lin Yun Hua is answering charges of being found in possession of Rhino horns, money laundering offense and dealing with government trophy.
In his preliminary observations,  lawyer for the accused, Chrispin Ndalama pointed out issues of language barrier, being served with a different charge sheet and that the particulars were too general.
“Our client is not conversant with English. In the first hearing, Government provided an interpreter who our client complained that had difficulties to communicate with. Also, we were served with an amended charge sheet which could have slightly affected our approach.
“We also noticed that  particulars on the second count on the change sheet were too general for an accused person to defend himself. The place and timeline should have been specific,” Ndalama told Nyasa Times after the adjournment.
The state, led by Council Andy Kaonga said an alternative interpreter will be identified and argued that charge sheet amendments can further be made until the case is closed.
Meanwhile, Lilongwe resident chief magistrate Violet Chipao  has adjourned the case to 7th November, 2019.
A total of 10 Chinese and four Malawian nationals have been arrested this year in relation to the syndicate in question and are at various stages of trial.
Yun Hua Lin was arrested on 16th August 2019 in Lilongwe (Area 3) following a 3-month manhunt by Malawi Police Service while James Mkwezalamba, 38, from Neno district is currently serving 3 years in prison.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
3 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Onjezani
Onjezani
4 years ago

a Ndalama musaononge kaliya za zii

Mwinithako
Mwinithako
4 years ago

Look at this idiot Chrispin Ndalama opening his basket mouth defending a foreigner who is swindling our precious Government trophy. Poverty in our Malawi will push us eat our own faeces ndithu kkk.Because this Chinese have money to disburse therefore a Krisipini ati kamwa mwaaa ngati mulamba wakodwa pambedza .Zopusa basi.Ife amalawi athu akalkwa kwawo abakha amenewa angawaone ngati zinthu ????Bakha ameneyu amangidwe basi osamulekelera ayiii

mpilu
mpilu
4 years ago

ndikeesa minyanga ina ija munaunjika ku parl8ament munakaochela ku China konko you batsards!!!! what do yo want to cheat us with

Read previous post:
Third Eye, Black Isco feud causes social media storm

Renowned rapper Third Eye has locked horns with Blantyre-based wordsmith Black Isco over a tweet discrediting USA rapper, Logic. In...

Close