Bikita women jailed for possessing dagga

TWO Bikita women have been jailed nine months each for possessing two kilogrammes of dagga.

Faith Mushayi (28) and Nevia Mushayi (47) both of Duma Township at Nyika Growth Point were jailed by Masvingo magistrate Mr Peter Madibha after they were convicted of possessing the illegal drugs on their own plea of guilty.

Initially, the pair were sentenced to one year each behind bars by Mr Madibha before he suspended three months each from their sentences after taking into account that they did not waste the court’s time by denying the charges.

They will serve nine months effective each.

“I wanted to give you a harsh sentence, but I considered the fact that you are women and first offenders who also did not waste the court’s time,” said Mr Madibha.

“Otherwise the offence attracts a harsh sentence, but you will serve only nine months behind bars.”

In mitigation, the duo had told the court that they were selling the dagga to earn a living.

Prosecuting, Mr Fidelis Nyamukondiwa said a crack team of police detectives from Masvingo District were investigating a robbery case and went to Faith’s house to search for some stolen property.

During the search, the detectives found dagga weighing 2,05 kg stashed in her bedroom and she was arrested.

Faith told police that Nevia was the owner of the dagga and she was also arrested later on the same day after she was found hiding at her friend’s place in Bikita. The dagga was taken to Chikato Police Station in Masvingo and was used in court as exhibit.