Nyazura mbanje ‘farmers’ in the dock

POLICE in Rusape have continued registering significant success in weeding out dagga peddlers especially in the Nyazura area which has of late become the ‘farming’ hub for the dangerous drug.

Last week, police arrested two villagers for growing dagga in their gardens and the suspects have since appeared in court.

They are being charged with cultivating dagga without licences.

Gift Mukono (42) of Singwizi Village, Nyazura appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Gift Manyika last week and was not asked to plead.

He was remanded out of custody to February 9.

State prosecutor, Mr Roy Weja, said Mukono was found with 16 plants of dagga in his garden.

“On January 3, police received information to the effect that Mukono was dealing in dagga. Police searched him and his homestead and found one twist of dagga in his possession.

“Mukono also led the police officers to his garden located in the same village along Singwizi River and discovered 16 plants of dagga there. The dagga plants were uprooted and were taken to Zimpost offices in Nyazura for weighing. The plants had an average height of 1,8 meters with a total weight of 6,4kg,” said Mr Weja.

In another case, Jessman Chipanga (40) of Nzvimbe Village also appeared before Mr Manyika facing one count of cultivating dagga.

Chipanga who is represented by Mr Tendai Bvuma of Bvuma and Associates was remanded out of custody to February 9 after her defence counsel successfully applied for bail.

“On January 3, police received a tip-off that Chipanga and her accomplice, Mushure Mashare who is still at large were growing dagga in their garden. Police discovered 19 plants and uprooted them. Mashare fled from the garden with nine plants and later dumped them.

“The average height of the plants was 2,3m and their weight was 8,1kg,” said Mr Weja.