The ManicaPost
Post Correspondents—
TWO men were arrested for possessing 36kgs of mbanje in Rusape. The two, Lloyd Masanga (31) of Chief Hata in Nyanga and Tendai Mhembere (32) of Number 5153, Manyame Park, Chitungwiza pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Shingi Mutiro recently.They were represented by Mr Leonard Chigadza of Chigadza and Associates, while Mr Tafara Chawatama prosecuted.
Mr Chawatama told the court that Masanga was driving the open truck wearing an army jacket when he was arrested while refuelling at a local garage.
“On November 2 at around 11.40pm and at Zuva Service Station in Rusape, Detective Zifungo who was in the company of Detective Kazingizi saw a Mazda B1800 green in colour, Registration Number ABK 4994 refuelling. They saw 2x50kgs sacks in the loading box of the vehicle. Masanga was wearing an army jacket.
“The two detectives approached the two accused persons who were inside the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, two bags containing loose mbanje were recovered from the loading box. Subsequently the accused persons were arrested and taken to the police station,” said Mr Chawatama.
The two bags of loose mbanje were taken to National Railways of Zimbabwe where they were weighed during the presence of the accused persons and weighed 36kgs.
Mr Mutiro adjourned the matter to December 13 for continuation of trial.
In an unrelated case, a Chipinge woman (29) escaped jail after being caught with 100g of mbanje.
Sarah Mlambo of Mahachi Village under Chief Musikavanhu’s area was slapped with a wholly suspended three-month jail term when she appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Sharon Chipanga recently.
She was advised not to commit a similar offence for the rest of her life.
Mlambo pleaded guilty to contravening Section 57 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
In mitigation, Mlambo said: ‘’Your Worship, I have four children to take care of. I am not employed, so this prompted me to sell mbanje as a way of raising income for my children,’’ said Mlambo.
On November 20 and at around 8am at the 161km peg along Ngundu -Tanganda Road, constables Sibanda and Gapare who were manning a stop and search roadblock stopped a Toyota Noah which was being driven by Richmore Mayanga.
