Ngodzo fined US$200 for dagga smoking

Former Highlanders, FC Platinum and CAPS United midfielder Joel Ngodzo was among 11 people arrested in Bulawayo's Makokoba suburb during a police operation targeting drug abuse.

The 36-year-old former Soccer Star of the Year pleaded guilty to unlawfully smoking dagga and was fined US$200, or 30 days in prison.

Ngodzo and the other accused were arrested after detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics unit allegedly observed them smoking dagga inside a barber shop along 7th Street.

The suspects were subsequently brought before Bulawayo Magistrate Themba Chimiso, who warned that authorities were engaged in a "war against drugs" and that courts would impose stiff penalties to deter drug abuse.

The magistrate's remarks come amid growing concern over drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe, with law enforcement agencies intensifying operations targeting the use and distribution of illicit substances.

Following their convictions, the 11 offenders were escorted to the holding cells as relatives and friends reportedly scrambled to raise money to pay their fines and prevent them from serving prison sentences.