Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Zimpapers Reporter
TWO alleged drug peddlers from Bulawayo, have appeared in the Western Commonage Court facing charges of possessing dangerous drugs, after they were found in possession of mbanje.
Both cases were presided over by Mr Archie Wochiwunga.
In the first case, a 33-year-old man from Cowdray Park, Langton Mbanje, was charged after being found in possession of dangerous drugs.
According to the prosecutor, Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete, on 13 June 2025, detectives conducting surveillance in Cowdray Park received a tip-off regarding Mbanje’s activities.
They learned that he had dagga near his residence, where he often spent his days.
Acting on that information, the detectives discreetly observed Mbanje as he concealed a plastic bag in a small pit, covering it with soil.
When he left the area, the detectives approached him, identified themselves and proceeded to conduct a search.
During the search, they discovered a plastic bag containing 38 sachets of loose dagga buried in the pit.
Further examination revealed an additional 14 sachets tucked in an empty container of a soft drink.
The total weight of the recovered dagga was 207 grammes, with a street value of ZWG5 796.
Following the proceedings, Mr Wochiwunga remanded Mbanje’s case to 1 July.
In the second case, 34-year-old Nomvelo Hadebe from Pumula South also appeared before Mr Wochiwunga, facing charges of unlawfully possessing 255 grammes of dagga.
Prosecutor Mr Dzimbanhete told the court that police officers from Nkulumane District were following up on a suspect when they encountered a 15-year-old boy in possession of a sachet of dagga.
Upon interrogation, the juvenile revealed that he had obtained the sachet from Hadebe’s residence. The police subsequently visited her home, where Hadebe voluntarily produced a plastic bag containing seven sachets of loose dagga from her stove oven, along with a larger bag containing additional loose dagga.
The total weight of the dagga seized from Hadebe was 255 grammes with a street value of approximately ZWG 7 140.
Mr Wochiwunga granted Hadebe bail of US$200 or the equivalent in ZWG at the current bank rate.
She was ordered to remain at the address provided in court and not to interfere with any State witnesses.
Like Mbanje, her case was also remanded to 1 July.
