Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A 32-YEAR-OLD truck driver from Beitbridge has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after he was caught transporting 78 kgs of Mbanje/cannabis in a South African registered commercial truck.
Tapson Madziyanise who is employed by Docfin Trading was convicted on his own plea of guilty to contravening a section of the Dangerous Drugs Act when he appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba on Thursday.
His accomplice Never Ndambakuwa is set to stand trial separately before the same magistrate.
Madziyanise was left with nine years’ imprisonment after Mr Gwazemba conditionally suspended one year of the 10-year sentence for five years.
Prosecuting, Mr Ronald Mugwagwa said on December 10, at around 1030 am, Madziyanise entered his employer’s truck stop in Beitbridge driving a South African registered commercial truck.
The court heard that a search of the truck was conducted by a security guard who was on duty leading to the discovery of three green sacks which were loaded in the truck’s trailer.
The guard then informed the police who rushed to the scene where they were offloaded leading to the arrest of Madziyanise and Ndambakuwa.
The three sacks were taken for weighing and it was discovered they contained Mbanje valued at US$7 8000.
Online Reporter