Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a 50-year-old South African man to an effective three years in prison for unlawfully dealing in a dangerous drug, marijuana (mbanje/dagga).
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA) said Davi Maila Mashabane was convicted after police intercepted him on Saturday at around 1800 hours along the Limpopo River.
The NPA said officers deployed in Beitbridge had received information that the accused had illegally entered Zimbabwe through an unofficial entry point while carrying dangerous drugs.
“Acting on the tip-off, police tracked and intercepted David before searching him,” read part of the statement.
“During the search, police recovered four cobs of mbanje (dagga) concealed in a navy-blue satchel he was carrying on his back.
“The dagga, wrapped in black plastic and cello tape, weighed 5.23 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of US$523 and was seized
“The NPAZ urges members of the public to refrain from drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes. The unlawful movement and distribution of dangerous drugs pose a serious threat to public health and security, and offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Authorities say there has been an upsurge in cases where drug peddlers smuggle mbanje, including skunk, from South Africa in large quantities via the Limpopo River or through the border using light cross-border transporters known as Omalayitsha.
It is understood that most of the drugs are destined for high-density suburbs in Bulawayo and Harare.
The Government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee to formulate strategies and coordinate responses to drug and substance abuse.
This has led to the establishment of four ZRP Drugs and Narcotics Units at Beitbridge, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Mutare border posts.
New technologies such as drones are also being deployed to monitor the country’s borders, in addition to traditional surveillance methods, to curb smuggling and trafficking of drugs.
