Senanga court orders forfeiture of truck, trailer and Mukusi logs caught in illegal timber trade

National Prosecution Authority (NPA) says the Senanga Subordinate Court on February 11, 2026, ordered the forfeiture of a Howo Sino truck (Reg. ADE 7492ZM), a trailer (Reg. BCE 6819ZM) and 85 Mukusi logs to the State following a successful conviction-based application by the Authority.

The case dates back to November 18, 2025, when a joint enforcement team from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Forestry Department intercepted the timber consignment in Senanga District. According to an NPA statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, investigators found the Mukusi logs being transported without the required Forestry documentation. The load was carried on a truck and trailer belonging to AABRICK Zambia Limited.

Two men — Elpidius Chushi (31), the driver, and his colleague Peter Kalumba (21) — were arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Biological Resources contrary to Section 120(b) of the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011. When they appeared before Magistrate Phenny Chipego Phiri on December 16, 2025, both pleaded guilty.

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Each was fined K45,000, or nine months’ imprisonment with hard labour in default. Following the conviction, the NPA filed a forfeiture application under Sections 4 and 10 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010, arguing that the truck, trailer and timber constituted tainted property used in the commission of a serious offence.

The company, through its Managing Director Angel Mbilima, opposed the application and claimed ownership of the vehicles, insisting it had no knowledge of the illegal timber transportation. The Court reviewed evidence including registration certificates, delivery notes, goods received records and the convoy’s movements relative to the assignments given to the convicted driver. While the company proved ownership of the truck, it provided no documentation to show it owned the trailer.

The Court further noted that although there was evidence showing the driver had been assigned to deliver a 600-bag fertilizer consignment, no proof was produced to demonstrate that the company had prohibited or prevented the use of the truck for illegal timber transport. After hearing submissions from both sides, Magistrate Phiri ruled that the truck, trailer and Mukusi logs had indeed been used to commit a serious environmental offence and that the company had failed to establish itself as an innocent third party. The Court highlighted the increasing problem of illegal timber trafficking in Zambia, warning of its environmental impact and the associated loss of government revenue critical to national development.

The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting environmental crimes and recovering tainted property through its Environmental and Wildlife Crimes Department. “The public is reminded that engaging in the illegal harvesting, transport, or trade of biological resources is a serious offence and carries legal consequences, including criminal sanctions and forfeiture of property,” the Authority stated.

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