Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A 23-year-old-man from Mashawasha Flats, Mbare, has been fined ZW$25 000 after he was convicted for unlawful possession of 104 sachets of marijuana (dagga) known as mbanje locally.
Tinashe Kasamba was convicted after a full trial by Harare Magistrate, Tafadzwa Mhiti.
The magistrate warned him that he could face a custodial sentence if he repeated the offence.
Kasamba was arrested on May 1, 2022, after detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics Harare received a tip-off that he was in possession of dagga at an open space near Matapi Flats in Mbare.
The court heard that the detectives proceeded to the open space, where they saw Kasamba seated on a stool whilst holding a black plastic bag on his lap.
Detectives then approached him and introduced themselves.
They searched the black plastic bag and discovered 104 sachets of dagga before arresting him.
He was represented by his lawyer Norbert Mhlohlo.
Thomas Chanakira represented the state.
Although Zimbabwe authorised the farming of dagga for medicinal purposes, unauthorised possession of the drug is an offence.
Zimbabwe legalised the production of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes in 2018 through a Government Gazette under Statutory Instrument 62 of 2018 (Dangerous Drugs – Production of Cannabis for Medicinal and Scientific Use Regulations).
In 2020, Zimbabwe legalised the production of industrial hemp (marijuana) through Statutory Instrument 218 Agricultural Marketing Authority (Industrial Hemp) Regulations.
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