R5k fine for DJ who sold drugs

JONATHAN Love, the East London club DJ arrested last year after he sold drugs to undercover police officers, was sentenced to a R5 000 fine by the East London Magistrate’s Court.

After initially trying to link his case to those of high-profile cases seeking to legalise dagga use, Love changed his tune last week and pleaded guilty to charges of possession and dealing in banned narcotics such as cannabis (dagga) and methamphetamine (tik).

The 26-year-old Cambridge resident last week pleaded guilty to two counts of dealing in dagga and one count of dealing in both dagga and tik.

The court then sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment or a R5 000 fine, which he paid.

This was confirmed yesterday by Hawks police spokeswoman Captain Anelisa Feni, who said Love was further sentenced to two years imprisonment which was suspended for five years.

During one of his court appearances late last year, the DJ’s East London attorney, Andre Schoombee, had argued that his client’s case be postponed indefinitely pending an outcome of a high court challenge for the legalisation of dagga.

This follows Cape Town Rastafarian attorney Garreth Prince and Jeremy Acton of the Dagga Party of South Africa’s plea for the decriminalisation of dagga.

In March, the Cape Town High Court made a landmark ruling, declaring that it was an infringement to ban the use of dagga by adults in private homes.

In the ruling the court allowed for possession, cultivation and use of dagga at home for private use.

It also ruled that parliament must change sections of the Drug Trafficking Act and the Medicines Control Act. Parliament was given 24 months to do so.

Despite the high court granting such relief in March, Love – who was out on R3 000 bail – last week decided to take the rap and face the consequences of his actions.

Love could not be reached for comment yesterday.