Two Convicted in Bulawayo for Illegal Possession of Dagga

Dalyn Chigwizura,Court Reporter

A 29-year-old Bulawayo barber has been sentenced to two months in prison after police found 12 sachets of dagga hidden at his workplace.

Blessing Ndlovu, of Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo, was convicted by Western Commonage magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga for unlawful possession of dangerous drugs.

Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that on 22 May at about 11pm, police officers from Cowdray Park Police Station were on patrol when they approached Ndlovu at his barbershop.

“They introduced themselves and informed him that they wished to search his premises,” said Ms Kufandikanwe.
The officers discovered a plastic bag containing 12 sachets of dagga, weighing 59 grammes and with a street value of ZIG 360. Ndlovu failed to provide a reasonable explanation, resulting in his arrest.

In a separate case before the same court, Mbonisi Jeremiah Moyo (47), from New Magwegwe suburb, was sentenced to 350 hours of community service at ZRP Magwegwe Police Station after being found in possession of 13 sachets of dagga.

The court heard that on 4 July, police received a tip-off that Moyo was dealing in dangerous drugs. Officers raided his home with sniffer dogs and recovered nine sachets of dagga hidden under a rock in the yard and a further four sachets in the wardrobe in his bedroom.

The recovered dagga weighed 115 grammes and its estimated street value is US$13.