Chipinge– aA 47-year-old man from Chipinge, Nzwanai Chitamba of Gaza O suburb, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of dealing in dangerous drugs. The ruling was delivered by Chipinge magistrate Nixon Mangoti, marking yet another firm stance by the courts against the growing problem of drug trafficking and abuse in Zimbabwe’s small towns and rural communities.
Out of the three-year sentence, one year was suspended on condition of good behaviour, meaning Chitamba will serve an effective two-year jail term if he does not commit a similar offence during the suspension period. The sentence sends a strong message to would-be offenders that the justice system will not show leniency to those contributing to the illegal drug trade, which continues to harm communities across Manicaland Province.
According to court proceedings, Chitamba’s arrest followed an early morning police patrol conducted on October 23 as part of ongoing anti-drug operations in Chipinge. Law enforcement officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) intercepted Chitamba near Gaza O after receiving intelligence reports suggesting that he was involved in the sale of dagga within the neighbourhood.
When officers stopped and searched him, they discovered 23 small sachets of dagga hidden in his clothes. The suspect was immediately detained and escorted to his home, where police carried out a further search. During this operation, they recovered four additional sachets of dagga from his house. The combined weight of the confiscated drugs was 50 grammes, enough to warrant charges of possession and intent to distribute under Zimbabwe’s Dangerous Drugs Act.
In court, the prosecution argued that Chitamba’s actions posed a danger to public health and safety, particularly to young people in the Gaza area, where drug use has been on the rise. The State maintained that the quantity of dagga found and the way it was packaged clearly showed that it was meant for sale rather than personal use.
Chipinge Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Dagga Dealing
Magistrate Mangoti agreed with the prosecution’s assessment, noting that the court had to impose a deterrent sentence to discourage others from engaging in similar conduct. “Drug dealing is becoming a serious problem in our communities. The court must send a strong warning that such crimes will not be tolerated,” he said while delivering judgment.
The magistrate, however, acknowledged that Chitamba had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had not wasted the court’s time. He also considered the relatively small quantity of dagga and the fact that the accused was a first-time offender. These factors influenced the decision to suspend part of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.
In mitigation, Chitamba pleaded for leniency, claiming that he was unemployed and resorted to selling dagga to provide for his family. He expressed remorse for his actions and promised not to reoffend. “I was only trying to survive, Your Worship. I realise now that what I did was wrong and I regret it deeply,” he told the court.
Despite his plea, the magistrate maintained that the offence was serious and required a custodial sentence to serve as both punishment and deterrence. “Economic hardship does not justify committing crimes. Many law-abiding citizens face the same challenges but do not turn to illegal activities,” said Magistrate Mangoti.
Following the sentencing, police officials in Chipinge praised the court’s decision, saying it reinforced their efforts to combat drug-related crimes in Manicaland. “This conviction is a result of ongoing community-policing initiatives and intelligence-led operations. We are determined to remove drug peddlers from our streets,” said a police spokesperson.
The arrest comes amid increasing concern over the spread of illicit drug use in Zimbabwe’s smaller towns. Substances like dagga, crystal methamphetamine (“mutoriro”), and cough syrups with high codeine content have become alarmingly common among youths. Authorities have intensified crackdowns across the country, especially in areas like Chipinge, Mutare, and Chiredzi, which have been identified as emerging hotspots for drug dealing.
The National Drug and Substance Abuse Taskforce, operating under the Office of the President and Cabinet, has been spearheading efforts to curb the scourge through enforcement, rehabilitation, and public awareness campaigns. Government officials have consistently warned that the fight against drugs requires strong community participation and collaboration between citizens and law enforcement.
As Chitamba begins his prison term, the case stands as a reminder of the government’s uncompromising stance on narcotics. It also underscores the importance of collective community responsibility in tackling the social and economic conditions that fuel the drug trade.
For now, Chipinge authorities hope that the sentence will deter other potential offenders and help restore safety and order in a district increasingly grappling with the dark reality of drug abuse and trafficking.
Source- Bulawayo24
