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Takudzwa Chiwereweshe Manicaland Correspondent
A ZAMBIAN national studying at Africa University was fined $100 by a Mutare magistrate for possessing 83 grammes of dagga sachets in his college apartment.

Emmanuel Hamiyanze (20) was fined $100 when he appeared before magistrate Tendai Mahwe charged with possession of dangerous drugs.

Hamiyanze admitted to the charges.

Prosecutor Mr Fletcher Karombe told the court that on January 29, David Chimamoyo Mushamaenza, a security guard at the tertiary institution, was undertaking his routine checks around campus when he heard some noise coming from one of the apartments.

Mushamaenza traced the source of noise, which led to Hamiyanze’s apartment where he found him drinking beer in the company of several other students.

He then conducted a search in Mushamaenza’s apartment and found sachets of dagga.

A complaint was then lodged with Penhalonga police leading to Hamiyanze’s arrest.

In a related matter, a Dangamvura man was fined $200 after he was taken to court for possessing 49 sachets of dagga and two bottles of BronCleer cough syrup.

BronCleer, a cough syrup that contains the drug codeine — a painkiller similar to morphine — is usually abused by drug users.

Jabulani Mapingure was slapped with a $120 fine for possession of dagga and $80 on the second count for illegally keeping Broncleer.

Mr Karombe told the court that on February 1, Mapingure was apprehended by one Constable Gowera from the Criminal Investigations Department who received a tip-off that he was dealing in drugs.

Cst Gowera then arrested Mapingure at his tuck shop in Dangamvura.

“Quantities found were of a sizeable amount, which implies that the dagga was for sale. This conduct has serious health consequences for our youths, hence, a deterrent sentence is appropriate,” said magistrate Mahwe during sentencing.