Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
FORMER Highlanders, FC Platinum and Caps United star midfielder Joel “Josta” Ngozo has been fined US$200 alongside fellow residents after they were found smoking dagga in Bulawayo’s Makokoba suburb.
Ngozo, 36, appeared on Monday before Bulawayo Provincial Resident Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso alongside Kudzai Matshazi, 21, Mduduzi Ngulube, 46, Erick Ngulube, 23, Monalisa Sindisiwe Cheche, 36, Ndodana Moyo, 43, Lawrence Ndlovu, 23, Andile Tshuka, 26, Mlamuli Ncube, 33, and Winter Foster Chisale, 53.
All pleaded guilty to unlawfully smoking dagga as defined in Section 157(1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. They were each fined US$200 or, in default, they will spend 30 days’ imprisonment.
The magistrate issued a stern warning, saying Zimbabwe was in a “war against drugs” and that the number of people appearing in court on drug-related charges showed the scale of the problem.
“The number of offenders is testament that there is a big problem with drugs and the courts have to send a message that Government frowns upon the abuse of drugs and substances,” said Mr Chimiso.
He added that the government was channelling a lot of financial resources towards the fight against drug and substance abuse, and noted with concern that cases of drug abuse had escalated.
Prosecuting, Mr Samuel Mpofu told the court that at around 7pm on 4 September, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics in Bulawayo, who were conducting surveillance, observed the accused smoking dagga inside a barber shop in Bulawayo’s Makokoba suburb.
“The offenders were asked to produce a permit or licence which allows them to smoke dagga, but they failed to do so, leading to their arrest,” said Mr Mpofu.
