By Siphesihle Dlamini
Sifiso Makhanya of Motshane was gnawed by the jaws of the law after being caught in possession of a staggering 74.1 kg of dagga without a permit while driving a white Freightliner truck.
On March 3, 2024, near the Ngwenya area, the accused not being the holder of a valid license or permit did wrongfully and unlawfully, possessed 74.1 kg of dagga.
Charged with contravening section 12(1)(a) of the Pharmacy Act No. 38 of 1929, the accused pleaded guilty to the offence. He was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment or an alternative fine of E8 000.
The dagga, presented as an exhibit, loomed ominously in the proceedings. Constable Msebenzi Mamba, a key witness in the case, took the stand to recount the events leading to the arrest.
His testimony painted a vivid picture of the fateful encounter at Ngwenya, where a routine search of vehicles led to the discovery of the illicit substance hidden within the confines of the truck. The meticulous investigation that followed revealed 29 blocks of dagga, totalling a staggering 74.1 kg.
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After Constable Mamba’s testimony, the accused remained stoic, offering no rebuttal to Constable Mamba’s detailed account of the arrest.
In a plea for leniency during the mitigation phase, Makhanya portrayed himself as a first-time offender, emphasizing his role as a provider for his family, including school fees for his children and care for his ailing parents.
Expressing remorse for his actions, he implored the court to consider his circumstances and the lessons he had learned from this ordeal.
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In delivering the verdict, Magistrate Innocent Motsa underscored the seriousness of the offence and the detrimental impact of dagga on society.
He emphasized the need for a punitive sentence to deter others from engaging in similar criminal activities.
“The sentence I will pass will best suit the magnitude of your offence and dagga’s impact on society,” Magistrate Motsa declared, signalling the culmination of a legal battle fraught with consequences for the accused.
Magistrate Motsa said drug smugglers should be punished to discourage some other people who would want to commit such an offence.
