adminAngeline Mpofu Chronicle Reporter
A 41-YEAR-OLD man has stunned a court by claiming that he smokes mbanje three times a week to stop his nose bleeding.
Evans Maphosa of Pumula pleaded with Bulawayo Western Commonage magistrate Willard Maphios Moyo to be lenient with him, claiming he had a medical condition that required him to use mbanje.
“I admit that I am guilty but I do not sell mbanje, I only smoke it to stop a serious nose bleed,” he said.
Maphosa pleaded for community service so that he can have access to his medication.
He said: “I am also HIV-positive. I need to be home so that I can take my medication properly.”
Prosecuting Tatenda Dakwa said on March 20, 2014 police from Pumula police station were on patrol when they received information that the accused was selling dagga at his house.
He said: “Police proceeded to the accused’s place where a search was conducted inside the house, leading to recovery of 80g of dagga hidden in the garden.”
He said Maphosa was arrested and taken to the CID Drugs Section.
“The dagga was weighed in his presence and had a mass of 80g with a street value of $80,” he said.
Maphosa will appear in court today for sentencing.
Online Reporter