17 Dec 2013

An illegal Zimbabwean immigrant, who recently ran out of luck and was caught red-handed at Village Magistrate Court while trying to pass two wrappings containing dagga to his brother, has been fined P500 or six months imprisonment in default of payment.

Godfrey Mataba was on November 08, 2013 arrested by police detectives at Village Magistrate Court premises in possession of greenish plant material suspected to be dagga. The substance was concealed in the right rear pocket of a pair of trousers he was wearing and was wrapped in two plastic sachets.

The suspected substance was sent to police forensic laboratory where it was confirmed to be dagga weighing 3.8 grams. Appearing before magistrate Basetsana Keakantse on Thursday, Mataba who last week listened carefully as the summary of facts were read to him, confirmed that he was not licensed to carry such a habit forming drug.

He is also going to be handed to immigration department for deportation. His light sentence was due to the fact that he is a first offender and had shown remorse.

In mitigation, he told the court that he was providing for his ailing mother and other siblings and therefore, asked for leniency.He said it is now over a month since he had talked to his mother and suspects that she could be dead as he was the one who has been buying and sending her medication in Zimbabwe.

Detective Sergeant Baleofi Disho of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) prosecutes in the matter. Meanwhile sergeant Disho told BOPA that police believe that remand prisoners who have been harassing during court proceedings and attacking both court officials including journalists could have been high on smuggled drugs.

Sergeant Disho therefore said it is apparent that smuggling of drugs into prisons from courts could have been an on-going exploit but said, they will not leave any stone unturned in their endeavor to nip this unbecoming development. ENDS