adminPost Correspondent
A CHIPINGE “couple” was found guilty of possessing 82kg dagga and kidnapping a Mozambican on Wednesday after a full trial. It was an unusual court session at Chipinge Magistrates’ Court where relatives and friends filled the courtroom to hear the verdict of Lina Mutumwa and Darlington Sigauke, who are popular figures in the farming town.
Chipinge magistrate Mr Noah Gwatidzo deferred the verdict to October 29 after Mutumwa opposed the State’s position that she was not a first offender.
The State had said Mutumwa was convicted of theft charges last year and sentenced to six months imprisonment, wholly suspended on condition that she performed community service at the Chipinge Magistrates’ Court.
Mutumwa argued that she had never appeared in court in her life.
“Your Worship, it is my first appearance in this court. I have never served a community service here. Maybe I share my name with another woman,” she said.
However, Mr Gwatidzo said the court needed more time to verify her claims.
“The court needs at least two weeks to find out whether the accused’s submissions are true.
“We will send your fingerprints to Harare for verification,” he said.
Representing the State, Mr Brian Madzura said the two, Mutumwa and Sigauke, were arrested at Chako Business Centre on August 24 at around 2pm after police swiftly reacted to a tip-off they got from members of the public to the effect that the two had bags of the narcotic drug.
“It is alleged that Lina Mutumwa and Darlington Sigauke connived and proceeded to Mozambique to buy mbanje. They used a Honda Fit vehicle, Registration Number ADH8969, and crossed into Mozambique through an informal crossing point in Zamchiya area.
“While in Mozambique, the two bought seven buckets of mbanje from Saul Dhomba. They stashed the mbanje in a Shangaan bag. While in the process of loading the mbanje, they were intercepted by five men who assaulted them before grabbing the mbanje.
“On the same day, the two accused then teamed up with other men from Zimbabwe and went to Dhomba’s homestead and demanded the cash they had used to buy the mbanje. After failing to recover their money they proceeded to search the house and took away five bags of mbanje. They kidnapped him and drove back to Zimbabwe,” said Mr Madzura.
He said the duo drove to Sigauke’s plot in Chako area where they hid the mbanje. A tip-off was made to the police leading to the arrest of the two.
The total weight of the mbanje was 82kg.
Online Reporter