
Zambia cracks down on illegal timber trade: Court orders forfeiture of smuggling truck
Siavonga, Zambia – In a significant step toward curbing environmental crimes, the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has secured the permanent forfeiture of a South African-registered heavy-duty truck used in the illegal trafficking of Mopane wood. Valued at approximately ZMW 2.3 million (USD $82,000), the vehicle was seized while transporting 82 logs of Mopane out of the country. The case stems from the arrest of Takaedza Dzingirai (54), a Zimbabwean truck driver, who was caught by officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) at Willizi Truck Park in Chirundu. Found guilty of illegal possession and transportation of Mopane wood, Dzingirai was fined ZMW 20,000 by the Chirundu Magistrate Court for breaching provisions of the Forest Act. Initially, the truck and timber were placed under conditional forfeiture on 30 August 2024, allowing any legitimate owners to come forward. However, after no claims were lodged, the Siavonga Subordinate Court granted a final forfeiture order on 24 January 2025, handing both