Civil Society Organisations in the country have expressed great concern over media reports that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) plan to discontinue charges against a convicted Chinese wildlife trafficker Lin Yun Hua.
According to the CSOs red flags have also been raised by Environmental Investigation Agency on 3rd June indicating that all necessary arrangements for the discontinuance of the case had been finalised and that in two weeks’ time, an application is expected to be filed before the high court seeking formal withdrawal of the corruption charges levelled against the accused person.
At a press conference held on Wednesday in Lilongwe, the CSOs demanded transparency and accountability on the issue.
Executive Director for Indigenous Conservation of Nature, Mfumukazi Zilanie Gondwe, said there is need for proper legal procedures to be respected and that justice must be served.
“Why is the ACB proceeding with this considering that the DPP, Fostino Maere, is the former lawyer of the accused and therefore he must recuse himself from the case because there is a conflict of interest,” said Gondwe.
She further said they will continue appealing with the ACB and the Office of the President for them to intervene on this issue.
“Malawi is not for sale. Our international reputation as a wildlife concerned country must be protected,” Gondwe added.
Lin Yun Hua was convicted to serve 14 years in prison for wildlife crimes but was later pardoned on 6th July 2025 by President Lazarus Chakwera as part of independence cerebrations after serving only four years.
