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Sukulwenkosi Dube- Matutu
A 73-YEAR-OLD Bulilima man has been arrested after he was found in possession of dagga at his homestead.
Keni Nyathi of Mpugwi Village in Madlambuzi area told the court that he was selling the dagga from his homestead in a bid to raise money to sustain his family.
Nyathi was convicted on his own plea of guilty to unlawful possession of dangerous drugs by Plumtree magistrate Taurai Manwere.
He was sentenced to four months imprisonment which was wholly suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
a�?I was keeping the dagga at my homestead as I was selling it to community members in order to make a living but I have never smoked it. I am looking after my grandchildren who are orphans and I was trying to raise money so that I could pay their school fees,a�? said the old man in his mitigation.
Prosecuting, Rose Sibanda said Nyathi was found in possession of 16 twists and a handful of dagga weighing 66 grammes.
She said the dagga was wrapped in a plastic bag and hidden in his garden.
a�?On 5 February around 8am police officers received a tip off to the effect that Nyathi was in possession of dagga. Police officers then teamed up and proceeded to his homestead where they recovered the dagga hidden in his garden resulting in Nyathia��s arrest,a�? said Sibanda.
In passing his sentence magistrate Manwere warned the old man against committing the same offence noting that he would be sent to prison without the option of a fine.
He also advised Nyathi to find legal methods of sustaining his family as poverty was not an excuse to engage in crime.
Manwere added that he had pardoned Nyathi after considering that he was an old man and could not perform community service.
He said he had also considered that Nyathi did not have money to pay a fine.
Online Reporter