... Gogo (60) held for 90.6kg dagga at KaNcesi
MBABANE – An elderly woman of KaNcesi has been arrested for the illegal possession of dagga weighing 90.6kg while in the area.
Phumzile Mnisi made her appearance at the Mbabane Magistrates Court yesterday. She pleaded guilty when the charge was read to her.
Asked why she possessed the dagga without a valid permit, Mnisi told the court that she became a victim of circumstance when police officers conducted an operation at her homestead.
She claimed that the owners of the dagga escaped, leaving her behind when they saw the police officers.
She pleaded for the court’s leniency, stating that she was looking after her 14 grandchildren, yet she was unemployed.
“The court is cognisant of the fact that many families are sustained
possession of Sikhondze and did thereby commit the said offense.
The stolen items included a Hisense 49 inch television set valued at E5 800, silver grey water dispenser refrigerator worth E10 000, a black Samsung home through dagga,” said the magistrate.
However, he was quick to state that courts would continue to enforce the law, as long as possessing the illegal herb was illegal in the country. Vilakati also mentioned that the court was aware that Mnisi headed the homestead, where the dagga was found.
“Do you know the consequences of trading in dagga? Dagga is dangerous. Even if sold in Namibia, there is a possibility that it will fall into the hands of people who tend to abuse it and lose their mental faculties. Do you have a mentally unstable child?” the court asked Mnisi.
In response, Mnisi stated that she did not have any mentally unstable child. She stated that she understood that dagga abuse might result in one losing his or her mental faculty.
“I watched a video of someone being assaulted for stealing dagga theater valued at E9 500, a black Defy stove worth E1 400 and a grey and black DVD player to the tune of E800.
In count two, accused one and three were charged with the offence of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, in that upon this morning. Despite being dangerous, trading in dagga may lead to death as people dealing in the illegal herb tend to take the law into their own hands,” Vilakati said, before sentencing Mnisi to five years imprisonment with the option to pay a fine of E5 000.
Meanwhile, in the same court, Nonduduzo Dlamini also appeared charged for the illegal possession of dagga weighing 1.8kg while at Pine Valley. Dlamini told the court that she was earning a living through selling the illegal herb. She stated that the dagga was destined for Matsapha, where she currently resided.
“I live with my grandmother and a pre-school child. It was my first time to take dagga to Matsapha for sale,” she said.
She was sentenced to five months imprisonment with the option to pay a fine of E500.
or about May 4, 2022 at or near Malindza area in the Lubombo Region, the said accused persons, either one or both of them acting jointly in the furtherance of a common purpose, did wrongfully and with intent break and enter into a house of Amos Fakudze and steal a black double base set valued at E4 000, the property of or in lawful possession of Fakudze and did thereby commit the said offence.
Siteki Magistrate Bhembe told the trio that the matter had been shifted to tomorrow, pending ongoing investigations, which might result in more charges preferred against them.
He further told the trio that they could move a bail application during their appearance for the continuation of their case.