Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
A NKULUMANE man’s late-night moves ended in handcuffs after police pounced on him at Sokusile Shopping Centre and found him with a satchel full of dagga with a street value of US$1 000.
The suspect, identified as Nicholas Mavhiza (32) of Nkulumane 5, was cornered by detectives on Thursday night following a tip-off from members of the public.
According to police, the raid happened at around 10.30PM. Officers swooped on the bustling shopping centre and Mavhiza, who was reportedly carrying a yellow and army green satchel, tried to blend in with other late shoppers but his bag gave him away.
“Upon searching the satchel, detectives recovered five transparent plastics containing loose dagga,” said acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu.
The stash, which weighed 2,5 kilogrammes, was quickly taken in as evidence. Mavhiza was immediately arrested and is set to appear in court soon.
Police applauded the community for tipping them off, saying it showed the power of collaboration in fighting drug abuse and trafficking in the city.
“We would like to appreciate the members of the public who assisted police with information leading to the arrest. We urge the public to desist from dealing in dangerous drugs as they will face the law,” said Ndlovu.
Dagga cases have been on the rise in Bulawayo, with police warning that shopping centres and commuter ranks have become hotspots for peddlers. Community members say the easy availability of the drug is fuelling school dropouts, violent behaviour, and addictions among youths.
Residents at Sokusile told B-Metro that dagga dealings often happen in the open, with some peddlers mixing it with cigarettes or hiding sachets in food parcels.
“People think it’s normal now but the truth is our children are being destroyed,” said one concerned mother.
Mavhiza’s arrest is the latest in a string of busts as police tighten their grip on the city’s drug underworld.
