Teenager convicted of crystal meth possession

Zvikomborero Parafini

A 17-YEAR-OLD girl was yesterday convicted of illegal possession of crystal meth on her own plea of guilty.

The girl appeared before Harare regional magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro, and burst into tears, after she was convicted.

She was later consoled by her father, who was with her in the dock, as the legal guardian.

The teenager initially appeared as a 22-year-old and was remanded in custody.

She was later released after proof was presented to show that she is 17.

She told the court in mitigation that she was a Grade 7 dropout and had the drug in her possession after being introduced to it by her friends.

“I admit to the offence. My friends are the ones who introduced me to this drug. 

“I had it in my bra on the day I was arrested as I wasn’t expecting to be busted by the police,” she said.

Asked by the magistrate what she had learnt from the ordeal, she responded:

“I have learnt life.”

Asked to explain what she meant, she added:

“It was my first time being arrested and to appear in court, and I have learnt to choose friends correctly and refrain from drug abuse.”

In aggravation, prosecutor George Manokore said:

“We submit that the accused person has been convicted of a serious offence and this offence is on the increase.

“We appreciate she is a first offender, but she has started on the deep end of criminality and we would have suggested a custodial sentence.

“But, as an officer of the court, I have the duty to assist the court to come up with a just decision.

“She was brought as a 22-year-old, but it was later found that she is 17 and, in these circumstances, community service might result in child labour.

“Her age is highly mitigatory, but the State suggests that she be given a suspended sentence that will come in effect if she commits the same offence again. 

“She will then have that sentence hanging over her head, stopping her from using drugs.”

The matter was remanded to next week pending the report of a probation officer, which is required before sentence.