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2 female dagga dealers arrested

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SITEKI - Two female dagga dealers from Lavumisa were on Sunday nabbed with two bags of dagga by police who had mounted a roadblock at Lonhlupheko junction.

Cynthia Mbali Khumalo, 35, and Ncengimphilo Thandeka Nxumalo, 29 were arrested and charged for illegal possession of dagga after police searched their bags and discovered dagga wrapped in plastic tape.

The dagga weighed 1.488 kilograms.

The two were reported to be from purchasing the dagga from Pigg’s Peak and were heading back to Lavumisa.

They yesterday appeared at the Siteki Magistrates Court before Lubombo Senior Magistrate, Donald Mavuso. Although they were found together, they were tried separately.

First to be called to the dock was Khumalo, who was charged with the possession of 718 grams of dagga.

She elected to conduct her own defence and further pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing dagga without a licence or permit.

Nxumalo also elected to conduct her own defence and also pleaded guilty to the charge of illegal possession of dagga.

She was charged with being found in possession of dagga weighing 770 grams.

They were both found guilty as per their own plea.

In mitigation, Khumalo pleaded with the magistrate to be lenient when passing sentence adding that she will not commit crime again.

She explained to court that she was going to sell the dagga so she could look after her five children.

The magistrate asked her why she was not selling vegetables or other common items, if she wanted to make a living.

She responded by saying she was informed by some friends that one could make a lot of money through selling dagga.

She added that after getting money from the sale of dagga she was then going to venture into the vegetable business. Nxumalo also pleaded for leniency in her mitigation.

She also said she intended selling the dagga to make money.

Before passing sentence, the magistrate told the women that selling dagga to the community was wrong adding that it was like poisoning the community.

"You want to poison the community by selling dagga to residents. The community does not need your dagga," said the magistrate, before sentencing each of the women to four months imprisonment with a fine option of E1 000.

They both paid the fine and were seen leaving the court.

The dagga was forfeited by the state.

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