Fortune Makoni, [email protected]
A 26-YEAR-OLD Nkayi man has been fined US$300 for possessing a sachet of dagga after he was arrested at Khalanyoni Business Centre in Inyathi.
Khulisani Masuku was convicted on his own plea of guilty to unlawful possession or use of dangerous drugs by Inyathi magistrate Mr Challenge Mahembe.
The court fined him US$300 or six months’ imprisonment. He was also sentenced to six months in prison, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
In passing sentence, Mr Mahembe said the mitigating factors outweighed the aggravating circumstances, making a substantial fine the most appropriate punishment.
Prosecuting, Mr Happiness Nleya told the court that on October 3, detectives from Inyathi were on patrol when they spotted Masuku seated at Khalanyoni Business Centre with Thulani Ndlovu and Jotham Phugeni, who were separately charged.
The detectives became suspicious and approached the group before identifying themselves and searching Masuku.
They recovered a sachet of dagga, leading to his arrest. He was subsequently taken to Inyathi Police Station.
