The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
A 56-YEAR-OLD Chipinge man who was arrested for growing dagga at his farm was today sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Aaron Patrick Mlambo of Jimu Farm in Hangayi Village under Chief Mutema appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi facing charges of unlawfully cultivating dangerous drugs.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
Prosecuting, Mr Edmore Mahlanganise said on an unknown day in June last year, Mlambo hatched a plan to deal in dangerous drugs and planted dagga in his garden.
“On January 10, Detective Sergeant Chiwandamira and Detective Constables Muruma and Tevera received information that the accused was cultivating dagga in his garden. The detectives proceeded to Jimu Farm and found the accused’s wife, Arairwai Chikunga weeding the dagga,” said Mr Mahlanganise.
The detectives identified themselves before Chikunga led them to where the other plants were grown in the garden.
“On the same day, the 143 plants were uprooted and measured at CID Chipinge offices in Chikunga’s presence and they averaged 153 centimetres in height. The charges were laid against her husband as he was the owner of the dagga,” said Mr Mhanganise.
Asked why he dabbles in dangerous drugs, Mlambo said he grows dagga for medicinal purposes.
“Your worship, I grow dagga for healing purposes. They are not for commercial sale and I beg for lenience,” he said.
However, Mrs Hanzi slapped Mlambo with 30 months imprisonment, 18 of which were set aside on condition that he does not deal in dangerous drugs for five years.
