News / National
Convicted mbanje dealer collapses in court
05 Apr 2013 at 11:15hrs | Views
DRAMA unfolded at Chipinge Magistrates' Court last Wednesday when a convicted mbanje dealer, Shamiso Mutanhaurwa, collapsed seconds after she had been slapped with a two-year prison sentence by Mr Clemence Ngweshiwa.
Mr Ngweshiwa instantly adjourned the court to allow prison officers to assist her with first aid.
Mutanhaurwa (39) who had been convicted of possessing 11,8 kgs of mbanje on her own plea of guilty regained consciousness after 30 minutes.
Mr Witness Nyamundaya who appeared for the State said Mutanhaurwa of Vanguard Mine in Zvishavane was in a Masvingo bound bus from Mutare when she was nabbed at a police roadblock near Nyanyadzi Business Centre.
"Police conducted a search in the bus andfound a bag in which the mbanje was stashed. No one claimed ownership of the bag.
"However, the bus conductor confirmed that she was the one who had paid for the luggage in question," said Mr Nyamundaya.
After cross examination, she confessed that she was in the business of selling the drug and that she was on her way to Zvishavane where the selling of mbanje to illegal miners was lucrative business.
In passing sentence, Mr Ngweshiwa said commercial dealing in mbanje was a serious offence.
"You are a first offender who pleaded guilty to the offence. You also have five children to look after, however, what is aggravating your case is that you procured the drug for commercial purposes, accordingly the court will deviate from its normal trend of sparing first offenders jail terms and send you to jail," he said.
Mutanhaurwa who was expecting a fine could not stomach the ruling and broke into tears.
As prison officers were escorting her to the cells, she collapsed and fell on her back.
Mr Ngweshiwa instantly adjourned the court to allow prison officers to assist her with first aid.
Mutanhaurwa (39) who had been convicted of possessing 11,8 kgs of mbanje on her own plea of guilty regained consciousness after 30 minutes.
Mr Witness Nyamundaya who appeared for the State said Mutanhaurwa of Vanguard Mine in Zvishavane was in a Masvingo bound bus from Mutare when she was nabbed at a police roadblock near Nyanyadzi Business Centre.
"Police conducted a search in the bus andfound a bag in which the mbanje was stashed. No one claimed ownership of the bag.
"However, the bus conductor confirmed that she was the one who had paid for the luggage in question," said Mr Nyamundaya.
After cross examination, she confessed that she was in the business of selling the drug and that she was on her way to Zvishavane where the selling of mbanje to illegal miners was lucrative business.
In passing sentence, Mr Ngweshiwa said commercial dealing in mbanje was a serious offence.
"You are a first offender who pleaded guilty to the offence. You also have five children to look after, however, what is aggravating your case is that you procured the drug for commercial purposes, accordingly the court will deviate from its normal trend of sparing first offenders jail terms and send you to jail," he said.
Mutanhaurwa who was expecting a fine could not stomach the ruling and broke into tears.
As prison officers were escorting her to the cells, she collapsed and fell on her back.
Source - MP
