Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
TWO men who were arrested after being found in possession of illegal cough syrup worth US$89,750 have appeared in court for trial.
Lungani Ndlovu (44) of Emganwini suburb in Bulawayo and Hebert Kazembe (40) of Waterfalls in Harare appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate, Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla, on Tuesday, facing charges of dealing in dangerous drugs. Both pleaded not guilty.
The pair is represented by lawyer Goodluck Katenaire of Katenaire-Mbeure Law Chambers.
Mr Katenaire told the court that Ndlovu does not reside at the Selbourne Park address where detectives claim to have found vehicles loaded with illicit cough syrups.
“His only ‘crime’ was being present at the residence after parking his IVECO motor vehicle, which had developed a mechanical fault. He had invited a mechanic, Shakespear Qhela Ndlovu, to fix it,” he said.
“When the police arrived, Ndlovu was near the gate and opened it, after which they arrested him. I still wonder why the police picked only Ndlovu when there were 11 other men at the residence.”
He further submitted that none of the vehicles seized by police belonged to Ndlovu and questioned why they were not impounded.
Mr Ketenaire added that Ndlovu was not asked to sign for or verify the quantity of the seized medicines.
“He only signed a seizure form when he was taken to Harare,” he said.
In defence of Kazembe, Mr Katenaire said: “He is a fellow transporter and has never been seen dealing in drugs.”
The matter was postponed to 12 May for continuation of trial.
Prosecutor, Mr Jethro Mada, told the court that on 30 August 2025 at around 6 PM, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics, Harare, picked up intelligence that accused number one was using Mphoengs Border Post to smuggle drugs from South Africa into Zimbabwe via Botswana.
Armed with the information, detectives proceeded to Mphoengs Border Post in a bid to intercept the consignment.
“Upon reaching the Mapisa area in Matabeleland South Province, detectives further picked up information that the accused had already crossed into Zimbabwe with the drugs destined for Bulawayo. Detectives managed to track the accused and found him at a house in Bulawayo’s Selbourne Park suburb. The accused had packed the unregistered cough syrups into a white Nissan Caravan,” said Mr Mada.
He further told the court that detectives introduced themselves to the accused and informed him of the purpose of their visit.
“A search was carried out in the vehicle, leading to the seizure of 465 boxes containing 30 x 100ml bottles of Astra cough syrup, 23 boxes containing 48 x 100ml bottles of Benylin cough syrup, 40 boxes containing 50 x 100ml bottles of Broncleer cough syrup and 13 boxes containing 50 x 100ml bottles of Stilpane cough syrup. Ndlovu was arrested and later indicated that he was just a transporter who had been sent to deliver the consignment in Harare by Kazembe. Ndlovu assisted the detectives in arresting Kazembe,” said Mr Mada.
An exhibit seizure confirmation receipt, serial number 0168843, was issued to the accused persons.
The unregistered medicines and motor vehicle are held as exhibits and can be produced in court as evidence. The unregistered consignment is valued at US$89 750.
Ends CKD NT
