Sidumisile Mabena
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
A 42-year-old Beitbridge man has been jailed for an effective two-and-a-half years after he was found transporting nearly 80 kilogrammes of mbanje (marijuana) from the border town aboard an intercity bus.
The arrest was part of Government’s ongoing crackdown on the smuggling of drugs and related illicit substances between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Authorities have noted a recent surge in drug peddlers smuggling contraband through the Beitbridge border post and its surrounding areas, with commonly trafficked substances including crystal meth, banned or prohibited cough syrups and marijuana.
These drugs are often destined for high-density suburbs in major towns and are typically transported using commercial trucks, light vehicles and intercity buses.
Phenias Tichivangama of Khwalu 2 suburb in Beitbridge, who is believed to be part of a wider drug syndicate operating nationally, was arrested on December 6 last year at Dulivhadzimu long-distance bus terminus while collecting his consignment.
He was convicted on one count of unlawful dealing in dangerous drugs when he appeared before Beitbridge regional magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa on Wednesday.
The court sentenced Tichivangama to five years’ imprisonment, of which two-and-a-half years were conditionally suspended, leaving him to serve an effective two-and-a-half years behind bars.
Prosecuting, Mr Will Brought Muleya told the court that on December 6 last year, police received a tip-off that the accused was transporting a consignment of mbanje in an intercity bus destined for Dulivhadzimu long-distance bus terminus.
Acting on the information, detectives mounted surveillance at the terminus and later spotted Tichivangama collecting sacks suspected to contain the illegal substance.
Police intercepted and searched his luggage, leading to the discovery of 22 large and 26 small cobs of mbanje weighing a total of 79,1 kilogrammes, concealed beneath blankets.
Tichivangama was immediately arrested.
Online Reporter