Three Gokwe villagers have been sentenced for the cultivation and possession of dagga. Brian Kuruwa, 36, Talkmore Muzondiwa, 30, and Shylet Magigani, 32, were apprehended on July 3, 2024, after police raids in Village Kuruwa uncovered 6,500 live plants and 170 kg of dry dagga.
Addressing the media on Saturday, ZRP Midlands Province`s Assistant Commissioner Operations, Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo said the arrests occurred after police received a tip about the illicit activities along the Svisvi river banks.
He said Kuruwa was caught watering a dagga plantation, leading to his immediate arrest and the uprooting of 67 plants. At Muzondiwa’s residence, police found a 50kg sack of loose dagga, resulting in her arrest. Magigani was discovered with three 40kg sacks of dagga at her home and was also arrested.
Assistant Commissioner Matambo said during the raids, Muzondiwa’s husband, Joseph Kuwara, attempted to mobilize residents against the police but was thwarted by warning shots. The suspects were taken to Gokwe Police Station and later sentenced at Gokwe Magistrate Court on July 4, 2024.
Kuruwa received a four-year sentence, with one year suspended; Muzondiwa received a 24-month sentence, with eight months suspended; and Magigani was sentenced to three years of effective imprisonment.
