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Court Reporter

AN EPWORTH mbanje trader was yesterday jailed for an  effective 10months after being convicted of possessing 0,825 kg of the drug valued at US$80.

Bigboy Makopore Chiza (25) of Overspill, Epworth, pleaded guilty to charges of contravening Section 157 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

Magistrate Tendai Mahwe sentenced Chiza to 15months in prison and suspended five months on condition that he does not commit a similar offence for the next five years. Mr Mahwe ordered the mbanje to be forfeited to the State.

In passing sentence, the magistrate considered the negative effects of the drug to members of the public.

“The drug which the accused was dealing in poses danger to society. The drug is banned as it is associated with numerous ailments to the public. A deterrent sentence will meet the justice of the offence,” he said.

Prosecutor Ms Sharon Mashavira told the court that police were informed by anonymous sources on June 25 that Chiza had mbanje at his home.

Acting on the tip-off, the detectives proceeded to Chiza’s house, where they arrested him. He was found in possession of a black plastic bag with loose mbanje.

The drug was taken to Harare Central Police Sation as exhibit.