Two Bulawayo men in court over dagga worth over ZWG100 000

Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Writer

TWO Bulawayo men have appeared in court on separate charges of unlawful possession of dagga, with a combined street value of more than ZWG105 000.

In the first case, Cain Mbizi (27) of Nkulumane 5 suburb was brought before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga, facing charges of possessing 2 509 grammes of dagga worth ZWG75 270 without a licence.
Mbizi, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded in custody to today for bail ruling.
The prosecutor, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe, told the court that on August 28 at around 8pm, detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit received a tip-off that Mbizi was in possession of dangerous drugs at Sekusile Business Centre.
The detectives found him carrying a black and brown satchel, introduced themselves, and searched him, recovering loose dagga.
“He was asked to produce a permit authorising him to possess dagga, which he failed to provide, leading to his arrest,” said Ms Kufandikanwe.
The dagga was later weighed at Zimpost, where it was confirmed to be 2 509 grammes.
In a related case, Madodana Dube (37) of Nkulumane 12 also appeared before the same magistrate for allegedly possessing 1 010 grammes of dagga worth ZWG30 300. He was remanded in custody to September 18.
The State, represented again by Ms Kufandikanwe, said detectives received a tip-off on August 18 that Dube was ferrying dagga in a silver Honda Fit (registration AEB 6544).
The vehicle was intercepted near Mpopoma High School gate along Luveve Road, and a search led to the recovery of eight sachets of dagga in a black side bag, as well as two sealed transparent plastic packets of dagga hidden inside the car.
Ms Kufandikanwe said. Dube failed to produce a permit or licence, leading to his arrest.
The dagga was weighed the following day at Zimpost in Dube’s presence, where it was confirmed to be 1 010 grammes.
The arrests come at a time when police in Bulawayo have intensified their clampdown on drug peddling, with dagga among the most commonly trafficked substances in high-density suburbs in the city.