News / Regional
73-yr-old man tells court he grow cannabis to repel snakes
30 Mar 2014 at 08:39hrs | Views
A Matobo, 73, has been fined $50 for growing cannabis which he claimed was for keeping snakes away.
Saimon Gama of Nyambane Village told magistrate Mr Jimmy Ndlovu that he had consulted a traditional healer who instructed him to mix cannabis with herbs to chase away snakes.
The prosecutor, Mr Shamiso Ncube, told the court that on a date unknown to the State but this year, the accused's grandchild was bitten by a snake which forced the accused to seek the services of a traditional healer.
The court heard that some villagers tipped off the police that Gama had cannabis plants in his garden. After getting the information, police pounced on the accused.
The police discovered eight plants of cannabis measuring 1,4 metres each at Gama's garden.
Gama pleaded guilty to the charge and pleaded with the magistrate to be lenient with him as he wanted to save the life of his grandchild.
The magistrate ordered the accused to pay a $50 fine or spend 45 days in prison if he failed to pay the money.
Meanwhile, two lovers from Matobo escaped a jail term after they were warned and cautioned for breaking into a neighbour's house.
The pair, Innocent Ndlovu (29) and Thembelihle Moyo (25) told the same magistrate that they broke into Mirriam Bhebhe's homestead to avoid being seen by Moyo's brother.
The court heard that on 19 March this year the pair was walking in the village when they saw Moyo's brother from a distance and hid in the complainant's house while she was away.
The matter was discovered and reported to the police leading to the arrest of the accused.
They pleaded guilty and were cautioned and discharged since they had given plausible reasons to the magistrate.
Saimon Gama of Nyambane Village told magistrate Mr Jimmy Ndlovu that he had consulted a traditional healer who instructed him to mix cannabis with herbs to chase away snakes.
The prosecutor, Mr Shamiso Ncube, told the court that on a date unknown to the State but this year, the accused's grandchild was bitten by a snake which forced the accused to seek the services of a traditional healer.
The court heard that some villagers tipped off the police that Gama had cannabis plants in his garden. After getting the information, police pounced on the accused.
The police discovered eight plants of cannabis measuring 1,4 metres each at Gama's garden.
Gama pleaded guilty to the charge and pleaded with the magistrate to be lenient with him as he wanted to save the life of his grandchild.
The magistrate ordered the accused to pay a $50 fine or spend 45 days in prison if he failed to pay the money.
Meanwhile, two lovers from Matobo escaped a jail term after they were warned and cautioned for breaking into a neighbour's house.
The pair, Innocent Ndlovu (29) and Thembelihle Moyo (25) told the same magistrate that they broke into Mirriam Bhebhe's homestead to avoid being seen by Moyo's brother.
The court heard that on 19 March this year the pair was walking in the village when they saw Moyo's brother from a distance and hid in the complainant's house while she was away.
The matter was discovered and reported to the police leading to the arrest of the accused.
They pleaded guilty and were cautioned and discharged since they had given plausible reasons to the magistrate.
Source - Sunday News
