Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Danimasuku4455gmail.com
A DRUG peddler who tried to flee after a police officer fired at his car, deflating the tyres after he was caught selling an assortment of drugs, has appeared in court.
Kalusha Makhosi Mthethwa (23) from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb appeared before Bulawayo provincial resident magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso yesterday facing two counts of dealing in dangerous drugs.
Mthethwa who pleaded not guilty, was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Prosecuting, Ms Josiphine 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 a attempt to stop Mthethwa but he ignored.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 152 grammes with a street value of ZWG 4 560.
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 ZWG 3 180.
