Tendai Gukutikwa
Fidelis Chavarike
Post Reporter
A MUTARE woman has been sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing unregistered prescription tablets and dagga.
Gaudencia Chinamhara admitted to charges of possessing prescription drugs without authority and unlawful possession of dangerous drugs, in contravention of Section 38 of the Medicine and Allied Substance Control Act, Chapter 15:03, and Section 157(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 09:23), when she appeared at Mutare Magistrates Court yesterday.
Mutare magistrate Ms Perseverance Makala ordered Chinamhara to serve two months in prison after suspending the other two on usual conditions, and further fined her US$150. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional 10 days in prison.
Prosecutor Ms Sandra Mlambo said on March 23, some police officers conducted a search at Chinamhara’s residence and recovered loose dagga concealed in a black plastic bag in her bedroom. A further search unearthed some prescription drugs, including sildenafil tablets and black mamba, without authority.
“The search operation conducted by the police officers was thorough, and the evidence collected can be exhibited in court, which was crucial in securing Chinamhara’s conviction,” said Ms Mlambo.
Online Reporter