Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
A BULAWAYO woman has appeared in court for trial after she was allegedly caught selling dagga and Benylin cough syrup with a combined street value of ZWG111,650, as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on drug and substance abuse.
Tracy Papayi (30) of Queenspark West suburb appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Taurayi Manuwere, facing charges of unlawful possession of dangerous drugs as defined in Section 157(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23), and unlawful possession of prescription preparations in contravention of Section 73(1)(a) of the same Act.
Papayi appeared for trial on Tuesday before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Mathew Mutiro and pleaded not guilty. She is represented by her lawyer, Mr Goodluck Katenaire of Katenaire-Mbeure Law Chambers.
In her defence, Mr Katenaire told the court that Papayi is a second-hand clothes vendor operating from Bulawayo Centre. He said she was arrested while observing what she and other vendors initially suspected to be Bulawayo City Council security confiscating wares.
“Her handbag was searched and her goods rummaged through, but nothing was recovered. She was shocked when police claimed that a 20-litre bucket found about six metres from her vending spot belonged to her,” said Mr Katenaire.
The matter was postponed to May 11.
He argued that vendors had fled from their wares during the commotion, and in that confusion, police may have mistaken her for the owner of the bucket.
He dismissed allegations that she was arrested while sitting on the bucket, saying she was arrested while observing events from nearby.
“She was never found in possession of it and had no knowledge of it. I object to the submission of the forensic reports presented by the State as they were not compiled according to the law,” argued Mr Katenaire.
Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari told the court that on February 3, shortly after 4PM, detectives from the ZRP Drugs and Narcotics section received a tip-off that Papayi was peddling drugs in Bulawayo’s city centre.
“The detectives proceeded to the location and found the accused seated on a container. They searched her and recovered 253 sachets of dagga, leading to her arrest,” said Mr Mugari.
The recovered dagga was taken to the Bulawayo Main Post Office, where it was weighed and recorded at 1,9 kilogrammes.
On the following day, detectives allegedly received another tip-off that Papayi was selling Benylin cough syrup from her home. They proceeded to her residence and searched her bedroom, where they recovered 31 bottles of 100ml Benylin cough syrup. The bottles were examined by a pharmacist and it was established that they contained 10 milligrams of codeine phosphate.
“The recovered syrup has a street value of ZWG54,000. The accused did not have a licence or permit to possess prescription preparation medicine,” said the prosecutor.
