The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
A 33-YEAR-OLD man from Ngundu, Simbarashe Moyo, was on Monday sentenced to three years in prison for possessing 23kg of dagga, while his two accomplices were fined $3 000 each for contravening the national lockdown curfew.
Moyo pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing dangerous drugs and six months of the sentence were set aside on condition of good behaviour when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi.
His two accomplices, Obey Masunda (33) of Bikita and Hardson Mutendi (27) of Mutendi Village under Chief Mazungunye were spared jail terms after they were ordered to pay the fine.
Prosecuting, Mr Edmore Mahlanganise said on July 30, police received information that the accused persons were transporting dagga from Mwangazi to Rimbi Business Centre using a BMW car.
“Inspector Musiiwa, Sergeants Songela and Murambidzi as well as Constable Mutema teamed up and intercepted the suspects’ car near Rimbi Business Centre.
“A search was conducted and three bags of dagga laden in the boot were found. The dagga was taken to Checheche Growth Point where it weighed 23kg. The trio had no exemption letters which permit them to travel during curfew hours, which violates the national lockdown regulations,” said Mr Mahlanganise.
In unrelated incident, a Mozambican national was hauled before the same magistrate last Friday facing charges of possessing dagga weighing 221kg.
Johane Sithole (31) of Bofe Village, Macuu in Chimoio and Gift Mutekesa (46) of Cowdray Park, Bulawayo pleaded not guilty.
It is alleged that on July 24, police received a tip-off that the two were transporting dagga using an Isuzu vehicle from Mozambique to Checheche Growth Point.
A roadblock was mounted along the Checheche-Hakwata Road.
Upon seeing the roadblock, the driver made a U-turn and sped off towards Hakwata.
Police gave chase and managed to intercept the vehicle which was being driven by Mutekesa. A search was conducted and 6x90kg sacks of dagga were recovered.
The duo was remanded in custody to August 11 for trial.
Mr Mahlanganise prosecuted.
