'I grow mbanje for my children's school fees' - man tells court

A 27-year-old Chimanimani man stunned the court by declaring that he was in the mbanje selling business because he had run out of options on how to raise school fees for his children, the Manicapost reported.

Patrick Madhambure of Kwirire Village under Chief Muusha was convicted on his own plea of guilty when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Vuso Gapara.

He was sentenced to two effective years.

The court heard that on January 22 at around 9am, police in Chimanimani received an anonymous tip-off to the effect that Madhambure was selling mbanje at Tilbury Estate residential compound.

On the same day, two police officers raided the accused person at his relative's house where they searched and found Madhambure in possession of 120 twists of mbanje wrapped in a paper and placed in a black plastic paper bag. The paper bag was in the room where Madhambure was sleeping.

In his defence, Madhambure, said he was selling mbanje to beat the January disease expenses which he argued were affecting everyone.

"Your worship, I had run out of ideas on how to raise money for the upkeep of my children who are at primary school. I realised that selling mbanje was the only alternative way of raising school fees for my kids," he said.

In sentencing him, Mr Gapara said Madhambure contravened the laws of the law by selling mbanje.

"Cases of illicit beer and other illegal substances are on the rise hence there is need to effectively deal with those who are found on the wrong side of the law. The accused should have found other alternative means to raise funds for the upkeep of his children," he said. Mr Brian Madzura prosecuted.