adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 22-YEAR-OLD domestic worker from Mangwe will perform 420 hours of community service after she was convicted of selling dagga from her employer’s homestead.
Pindile Nkomo of Ingwizi area said she was selling the dagga in the absence of her Botswana-based boss in a bid to make extra cash.
She was convicted for unlawful possession of dangerous drugs by Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa. He sentenced Nkomo to 18 months imprisonment of which six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining 12 months were further suspended on condition that she performs 420 hours of community service at Ingwizi Community Clinic.
Nkomo, in mitigation, said she had many responsibilities that she was trying to meet and her salary was meagre.
A domestic worker at a homestead in Ingwizi area, Nkomo was tasked by her employer to look after her children in her absence.
“I was trying to raise money because my salary is too little compared to the expenses that I have to meet. I have a small child to look after and my mother is not feeling well. I’m the one who caters for her medical bills.
“I thought that selling dagga would be a quick way for me to make some extra cash but it was not my intention to engage in illegal activities,” said Nkomo.
Prosecuting, Clemence Shawarira said Nkomo was found in possession of a kilogram of dagga which was hidden in her bedroom hut.
“On 22 May police detectives got information that Nkomo was in possession of dagga. They proceeded to her homestead in Ingwizi Growth Point where they conducted a search and found loose dagga which was hidden in a five litre bucket which was in her bedroom.
“The dagga which weighed 1,012 kilogrammes was recovered and Nkomo was arrested immediately,” he said.
In passing his sentence, Ruvetsa urged Nkomo to resort to legal means of supplementing her income.
“You’re very young to be engaging in such criminal activities. Selling dagga has not helped you in any way but instead it has brought a huge set-back on you. You cannot now earn money to cover your costs as you had intended.
“In future you should not use financial challenges as an excuse to engage in illegal activities. You should rather strive to earn any amount of money through legal ways,” he said.
Online Reporter