Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku Court Reporter
A FORM Four pupil from Founders High School in Bulawayo has appeared in court after he was found in possession of dagga.
The learner, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, appeared yesterday before Bulawayo Provincial Resident Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso, charged with unlawful possession of dagga as defined in Section 157(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
He was remanded in custody until tomorrow. The accused was advised of his legal right to apply for bail and to engage the services of a lawyer at his own cost.
Ms Josiphine Gurazhira told the court that on 13 July 2026 at around 11AM at Founders High School in Bulawayo, the accused was searched by his deputy headmaster, leading to the recovery of two sachets of dagga in his school satchel.
It was heard in court that the accused was taken to ZRP Donnington where he was asked to produce a permit allowing him to possess dagga, but he failed to do so, leading to his arrest. The court heard that he was issued with a seizure form serial number 0046069.
Ms Gurazhira told the court that on 14 July 2026 at around 8AM, the dagga was taken to the ZImpost office for weighing in the presence of the accused person and it weighed 6g with a street value of ZWG90.
The accused person had no right to possess dagga without a licence or permit. Meanwhile, a drug peddler who caused a scene as he tried to flee from the police, forcing law enforcement agents to open fire at his car and deflate tyres after he was caught selling an assortment of drugs, has applied for bail at the Bulawayo High Court through his lawyer, Mr Prince Butshe of Butshe and Associates.
Kalusha Makhosi Mthethwa (23) from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb appeared in court yesterday before Bulawayo Provincial Resident Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso facing two counts of dealing in dangerous drugs. Mthethwa pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The accused will be back in court on tomorrow. Prosecuting, Ms Josephine Gurazhira told the court that on 19 September 2026 at around 1800 hours, police officers from Bulawayo Central Operations received a tip-off to the effect that Mthethwa was dealing in dangerous drugs along George Silundika Street, between 8th and 9th Avenue.
“Acting upon the information, police went to the said place and found Mthethwa seated in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle, a Honda Fit.
“Upon noticing the police officers, Mthethwa attempted to flee by driving through the pavement.
“A police officer fired a warning shot in an attempt to stop Mthethwa but he ignored it. The officer then fired at the car, deflating all the tyres, but the accused continued driving the vehicle with deflated tyres along George Silundika Street,” said Ms Gurazhira.
The court heard that police officers followed him and managed to apprehend him as he entered Matopos Road near Famona Fire Brigade Station.
Ms Gurazhira told the court that police officers searched Mthethwa and his motor vehicle.
“They recovered 46 sachets of dagga, cash amounting to US$1 451 and R456 in the car on the passenger seat,” said Ms Gurazhira.
The recovered dagga was taken to Bulawayo’s Main Post Office for weighing in the presence of Mthethwa and it weighed 152g with a street value of ZWG4 560. The dagga and cash will be produced in court as exhibits.
Ms Gurazhira told the court that on the same day, police officers recovered 20 x 100ml bottles of Broncleer cough syrup, 2 x 100ml bottles of Astrapain syrup, 12 x 100ml empty Benylin cough syrup bottles and 14 x 100ml empty Broncleer cough syrup bottles in Mthethwa’s car. The recovered medicines had a combined street value of ZWG3 180.
