shloboe boe
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Online Reporter
POLICE in Matabeleland South have arrested two suspects who smuggled five bales of mbanje from South Africa, weighing 310 kg and with a street value of 200 000 rand.
The suspects, Tinashe Chivende aged 27 of Dulibadzimu in Beitbridge and his co-accused Emmanuel Runesu of the same Beitbridge suburb were transporting the drug to Harare, according to Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Chiratidzo Dube.
Insp Dube said on June 28 at around 2.30AM, police received a tip off to the effect that a grey Toyota Wish, registration number AEQ 3565, being driven by Chivende was suspected to be carrying dangerous drugs.
The vehicle was said to be going to Harare using Mazunga dust road to evade Makado Security roadblock to Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Masvingo then Harare.
Acting on supplied information, police proceeded to Bubye Valley Conservancy where upon arrival, they teamed up with Mazunga Game Rangers of Bubye Valley Conservancy.
The team saw the vehicle and signalled it to stop and a search was conducted, leading to the recovery of five bales and 11 cobs of mbanje in the motor vehicle.
“The accused persons and their vehicle with mbanje were taken to ZRP Makado Post/ Zezani for further management. The two accused persons were interviewed and stated that the drug was smuggled from South Africa using an illegal crossing point along Limpopo River. They received the dagga from one Jaiden [NFPK], who resides in Musina, South Africa,” said Insp Dube
She said they further stated that they were going to be given the address to offload the dagga when they arrived in Harare by Jaiden and were paid US$300 each and given a full tank of fuel to use to Harare and back.
Insp Dube said the dagga was weighed at ZIMPOST Beitbridge in the presence of the accused persons and it recorded a total weight of 307,568kgs. A certificate of weight was obtained.
She said police in the province will not relent in their fight against drugs.
“ZRP Matabeleland South will continue to conduct patrols and searches for drugs at ports of entry and within communities to bring sanity to the drug menace. Members of the public are being applauded for reporting activities of drug dealers to the police. The police assures the public that the police shall keep confidentiality about any information concerning tip-offs,” said Insp Dube.
Online Reporter