Octagenarian found with 45kg mbanje: refuses community service and opts for jail

By Mashudu Mambo

An 82-year-old man from Insuza in Matabeleland North Province who was found with 45,5 kilogrammes of mbanje shocked the court when he pleaded with the magistrate not to sentence him to community service but instead throw him behind bars.

Samson Danda Tshuma of Hlanganani Village 4B, under village head Ngezelwa Mpofu, Insuza appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Nyaradzo Ringisai facing a charge of being in possession of 45,5 kilogrammes of dagga on Friday.

He pleaded guilty and when the magistrate indicated that she could sentence him to community service, the octogenarian interjected and said he preferred serving a jail sentence.

Tshuma was, however, saved from both jail and community service by his age after the magistrate sentenced him to 42 months in prison which were wholly suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence with the court also taking into consideration his advanced age.

For the State, prosecutor Mr Realy Madzimure told the court that on 11 August 2015 at about 1pm constables Tembo Miriam and Mashuru Oliver were on patrol in the area when they received information that Tshuma was in possession of dagga at his homestead. They quickly reacted to the information leading to the arrest of Tshuma and the recovery of four bags of dagga weighing 45,5 kilogrammes in his bedroom hut. Sunday News