Mutare based police officer sent to jail for three years over dagga possession

SHURUGWI, Zimbabwe — A Mutare-based police officer has been jailed for three years after being convicted of unlawfully possessing dagga, a magistrate ruled.

Magistrate Patricia Gwetsai sentenced Tinashe Maviya (33), a sergeant attached to Dangamvura Police Station, who was convicted together with Ngonidzashe Muzarawetu (22) of Area 7, Dangamvura.

The pair were arrested on Sept. 14, 2025, in Shurugwi after police found them in possession of dagga. Maviya was found with 2.8 kilograms, while Muzarawetu had 0.04 kilograms.

Police said the arrests followed a tip-off that the two were selling dagga at the Nash 1 mining area.

A third suspect, Enock Shunye, who allegedly bought dagga from them at the mine, was also arrested.

According to police, the suspects attempted to evade arrest but were later apprehended at Batanai Shop in the Musana area after alighting from a vehicle.