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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A 78-YEAR-OLD Bulilima granny has been sentenced to a wholly suspended 24-month jail sentence for cultivating 80 plants of mbanje.
Rebecca Dube of Madlambuzi area was convicted on her own plea of guilty to unlawful cultivation of dagga by Plumtree magistrate Mr Joshua Mawere last week.
In passing sentence, Mr Mawere warned the old woman against cultivating dagga again.
He sentenced her to 24 months imprisonment which was wholly suspended on condition she does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Dube who pleaded with the court for leniency said she had resorted to cultivating dagga in a bid to sustain her family.
“Your Worship, I was cultivating the dagga to sell it so that I could sustain my family. I’m an old woman and I am looking after my orphaned grandchildren. I saw selling dagga as an opportunity for me to make money quickly,” she said.
Prosecuting Mr Elisha Mazorodze said police detectives found 80 plants of dagga measuring about 1,5 metres each in her garden.
“On 23 March around 11am police detectives received a tip-off that Dube was unlawfully cultivating dagga. They proceeded to her homestead where they found 80 plants measuring 1,5 metres each,” he said.
Online Reporter