SA national sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for unlawful possession of 8.4 kg dagga

By Siphesihle Dlamini

Changa Joseph Charles, a 32-year-old South African national, has been charged with the unlawful possession of 8.4 kg of dagga.

The accused appeared before the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court to face the charges brought against him. The accused’s legal rights were explained and he elected to conduct his defence.

The Crown then put all the contents of the charge and the accused pleaded guilty.

According to the charge, Charles was found in possession of the dagga, a poisonous substance, without a valid license, thereby violating the provisions of the Pharmacy Act No 38/1929.

The accused was given the option of either serving a 24-month prison sentence or paying a fine of E2 000.

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During the court proceedings, Charles chose to represent himself and pleaded guilty to the charges. The crown accepted his plea without presenting any further evidence. It was revealed that the accused had no prior criminal record.

In his plea for leniency, Charles expressed remorse for his actions and explained that financial difficulties had led him to the unlawful possession of the substance for sale.

“I am a family man. I have financial strains which made me vulnerable to the temptation of possessing the substance for sale,” he said.

As a first-time offender and a family man, he sought understanding from the court. Magistrate Qondile Mtetwa, after considering the circumstances of the case, handed down a sentence of 24 months imprisonment or a fine of E2 000.