A 37-year-old Namibian soldier has been sentenced to five years' imprisonment in Zambia after being caught selling elephant tusks to undercover officers in Mwandi. 

Corporal Mowa James Mukela, employed by Namibia's Ministry of Safety and Security (Veterans' Affairs) in the Special Forces, was arrested while trying to sell 37.3 kg of ivory at K3,000 per kg (about N$2,500), worth roughly K111,900 or N$93,400. 

Zambian authorities charged him under Section 130 of the Zambia Wildlife Act for possessing wildlife products. He was convicted and sentenced to five years' direct imprisonment just four days after his arrest. 

Mukela had travelled to Mwandi on 30 January 2026 while on 16 days' sick leave, claiming he was helping construct a tombstone for his in-law's grandparent. 

Investigations revealed he was arrested in Namibia in 2021 for transporting and possessing 10 elephant tusks weighing 15 kg. 

He is out on N$5,000 bail with four co-accused; the vehicle remains at Tsumeb Police Station.