Defence witness in a wildlife-related case involving a Zambian National Kelby Malambo has told the Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe that he was not aware of the materials contained in two 50 kilogram bags that were left at the accused’s shop.

The witness – Moses Richard who was Malambo’s guard at the shop, told Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda he only witnessed two men leaving the said bags at the shop.

According to the defense witness, Malambo went away with the two men on motorcycles whilst carrying the two bags.

He said: “My boss [Malambo] told me that the owner of the materials would come to collect and that inside were hardware materials that were ordered.

After one hour 40 minutes later, two men came on motorcycles and left together with my boss, but soon after they departed I heard them disagreeing on the route they were heading but layer agreed following a phone call that my boss made.”

In cross examination, the witness said he was not aware what business was happening between the two men and his boss. He added that he does not know why Malambo was arrested.

However, the court failed to hear testimony from another defence witness who is reportedly bereaved, a development which prompted the defense to seek an adjournment.

But the State through its lead prosecutor Levison Mangani expressed concern over the slow pace the matter is progressing by stressing that the accused was found with a case to answer last year.

Magistrate Nyirenda eventually accepted the adjournment by highlighting that it was sought by the defence not him.

The 47-year old Malambo was found with a case to answer in September last year on offenses relating to possession and dealing in specimen of listed species.

The accused was arrested in February last year at Mwami Filling Station in Mchinji where police intercepted him while allegedly transporting 22 pieces of raw ivory worth over K53 million.

Hearing of case has since been adjourned to next week Friday where the defense is expected to continue its case.