Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura,Court Writer
A 61-YEAR-OLD suspected drug dealer in Bulawayo has appeared in court after he was allegedly caught with sachets of dagga and cultivating cannabis plants in his yard.
Lovemore Pangiso of man Nkulumane 12 suburb pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession and cultivation of dangerous drugs when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube yesterday.
He was released on US$100 bail and ordered to continue residing at his given address, report every Friday at Hillside Police Station and not interfere with State witnesses until the matter is finalised.
Prosecuting, Ms Cathrine Kuzu said detectives from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) drugs and narcotics section received a tip-off on September 11.
“Acting on the information, detectives proceeded to Pangiso’s residence, where they found him in his bedroom. A search led to the recovery of 19 sachets of dagga hidden under the mattress,” said Ms Kuzu.
The court heard that when asked to produce a licence to deal in dagga, Pangiso failed, leading to his arrest.
Detectives also discovered six dagga plants, each about 30 centimetres tall, growing in the yard. The recovered drugs weighed 61 grams and were valued at ZWG1 830.
Police have intensified anti-drug operations in Bulawayo and across the country, citing an increase in illegal cultivation and street-level dealing of dagga. While Zimbabwe legalised the production of cannabis for medicinal and scientific use in 2018, unauthorised possession or cultivation remains a criminal offence.
Meanwhile, a bogus inDrive taxi driver who allegedly vanished with his employer’s vehicle after pretending to be seeking employment, appeared before the same magistrate
Victor Simbarashe Nyarukava (25) of Nkulumane suburb was brought to court facing charges of theft of trust property. He was remanded in custody to October 6.
Prosecuting, Ms Kuzu told the court that on September 15, Nyarukava approached 65-year-old Timothy Muranda at his home, claiming to be looking for a job as a driver under the inDrive platform.
“After discussions, the accused person was entrusted with Muranda’s Honda Fit on the understanding that he would operate it for two days and return it,” said Ms Kuzu.
However, the court heard that Nyarukava failed to bring back the car as agreed.
Muranda later filed a police report, leading to a manhunt that culminated in the accused’s arrest at Esigodini six days later. The vehicle was subsequently recovered.
Bongani Ndlovu