Dad, son jailed for growing dagga

Lovemore Meya Court Correspondent
A 68-year-old Beatrice man and his son were yesterday jailed for an effective nine months for growing mbanje in their garden situated at the back of the house. Lovemore Jaranganda and his son Granty (21) of Plot 25 Cannethy Farm, pleaded guilty to charges of growing mbanje when they appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo. Mr Murendo slapped them with one-and-a-half-year jail term each, but conditionally set aside half of the sentence for five years.

In sentencing them, Mr Murendo said growing mbanje was a serious offence since it was a dangerous drug. He said the drug affected people physically and mentally.

The prosecutor Mr Tatenda Mukatera, proved that on December 5 and at around 2pm, police received a tip off that the duo had cultivated mbanje in their garden. Police attended the scene and recovered 21 fresh plants of the drug grown between maize plants.