66-year-old nabbed for mbanje

 

house on May 1.

On arrival they searched the fields and came across the 95 plants measuring an average of three metres on an anthill. Kutchwa was immediately arrested and has since appeared before Chinhoyi magistrate Mr Felix Mawadze. He pleaded guilty to the charges of contravening the Dangerous Drugs Act and was convicted and sentenced to 14 months imprisonment.

Ten months were suspended for five years.
The remaining four months were suspended on condition that he performs 135 hours community service at Chijaka Primary School.
He faced up to seven years in prison, but magistrate Mr Mawadze, in passing sentence, was lenient after considering his age.

Asked why he planted the mbanje, Kutchwa said he inherited the practice from his late father and he used the marijuana to scare away goblins. He said he did not know that it was a crime to plant the marijuana.

Mrs Hesel Kondo appeared for the State.