Security guard fined for growing mbanje

Zim Now Writer

A Chirumhanzu Rural District Council security guard was fined US$200 by Mvuma magistrate Constance Mutandwa for growing dagga at his residence without a permit.

Christopher Machera, 28, of stand number 44 Village 5 Musena, Mvuma and stationed at Musena Irrigation Scheme appeared in court last week and pleaded guilty to the charge.

Machera was given the alternate of three years’ jail time should he fail to pay the money.

Prosecutor Simbarashe Hwacha told the court that on February 7, 2023 at around 2pm Mvuma police officers who were on patrol in Musena area received a tip-off that Machera was growing dagga.

The officers proceeded to his homestead and found his wife Cecilia Meki who told them that Machera was at work. The officers followed him to the irrigation scheme and brought him home where they found 12 dagga plants between two and three metres tall in his garden.

They immediately arrested him.