MacDonald Bricks staff member, a 52-year-old man from Bulawayo has been caught with five sachets of mbanje worth US$9K.
Court Appearance and Plea
Munyaradzi Manyande, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Themba Chimiso and vehemently pleaded not guilty to the possession charges. He was granted bail in the amount of US$30 and has been remanded out of custody until October 24, when the trial is set to commence.
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The Incident Unfolds
According to the allegations, on September 28, while passing through the gate at MacDonald Bricks, Manyande was subjected to a search by a security guard. During the search, the guard discovered five sachets of mbanje concealed within Manyande’s jacket.
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Police Involvement and Arrest
The security guard promptly reported the discovery to the police, leading to Manyande’s subsequent arrest. Manyande’s mbanje that was seized was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) drugs and narcotics division for further investigation.
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Weight and Street Value Determination
The following day, the confiscated dagga was taken to Zimpost, where it was officially weighed. The total weight of the dagga amounted to 0.018kg, with an estimated street value of a staggering US$90,000.
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The Legal Process Begins
As the trial approaches, the court will scrutinize the evidence presented and determine the fate of Munyaradzi Manyande. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against drug-related offenses and the efforts to maintain law and order within the community.
Conclusion
In recent times, the police have been busy with multiple cases resembling Manyande’s, where individuals have been caught and apprehended with Mbanje. Earlier this year, the Chronicle covered a similar incident involving Zenzo Mangena. The 38-year-old man was caught transporting dagga during the “No to cross border crimes” operation at the Bubi roadblock along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway.