Bulawayo man jailed for dagga possession as stock controller faces theft charges

Dalyn Chigwizura Court ReporterA 23-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to one month in prison after being found in possession of 12 sachets of dagga.Tatenda Taputai, from New Lobengula suburb, was convicted by Western Commonage magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga for unlawful possession of dagga.He was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, with three months suspended for three years on condition he does not commit a similar offence during that period.Prosecutor Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that the offence occurred on 10 April around midday, when detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit in Bulawayo were conducting patrols.The detectives noticed a group of youths loitering outside Taputai’s residence and, upon closer surveillance, observed what appeared to be a drug exchange.“When officers approached the house, the accused, who was carrying a small plastic bag, fled into the house, leaving the gate open,” said Mr Dzimbanhete.The youths dispersed, and detectives pursued and apprehended Taputai inside the sitting room During the search, he dropped the plastic bag, which was recovered by one of the officers.Inside the bag were 12 sachets of dagga, weighing 35 grammes and with an estimated street value of US$12 Taputai was taken to Luveve Police Station along with the recovered dagga.Meanwhile, in an unrelated matter, a Bulawayo man appeared before the same magistrate for allegedly stealing US$2 430 from his employer, Metro Peach Cash and Carry Wholesale, where he works as a stock controller.Tafadzwa Austin Jiji, of Entumbane suburb, is facing a charge of theft He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to 18 August on US$50 bail.As part of his bail conditions, Jiji was ordered to reside at his given address and not to interfere with State witnesses until the matter is concluded.Prosecutor Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that the offence occurred on 21 May, when Jiji received a total of 720 cases of 20 × 400ml Cascade fruit juice, delivered in two batches.“The first batch of 450 cases was properly recorded into the system, but the second batch, delivered the following day, was not,” said Ms Kufandikanwe.It is alleged that Jiji sold the unrecorded stock, took the money, and converted it to personal use.The offence was discovered by branch manager Mr Shepherd Machanja (36), who filed a report at Mzilikazi Police Station.Subsequent investigations led to Jiji’s arrest and the recovery of property believed to have been purchased using the stolen funds

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Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald

Source: Zimbabwe Herald