Farmer In Court Over Marijuana

A young couple of Zimba district has appeared in the Livingstone Magistrates’ Court for possession of 80 grammes of marijuana.
Appearing before Livingstone magistrate Adsen Shanduba were Fernia Munduli, a 22-year-old farmer and housewife, and her husband 21-year-old Keagan Hamazulu, also a peasant farmer of Musozya village.
It is alleged that the duo on May 8, 2014, in Zimba district, jointly and whilst acting together, were found in possession of 80 grammes of marijuana without any authority.
The psychotropic substance was found in the accused persons’ house.
When asked if she understood the charge after it was read out to her, Fernia answered in the affirmative but denied the offence and a plea of not guilty was recorded.
However, Keagan said he understood the charge and admitted the charge after it was read out to him.
Keagan admitted being found in possession of the marijuana, adding that he smoked it so that it could give him strength when he was farming.
Asked where he got the marijuana, Keagan said it was given to him by a friend he identified as Emmanuel, a resident of the same village.
“The marijuana was for smoking and I smoke it because it helps me when I go for work at the farm. It also helps me when I conduct some piecework in the village,” he said.
When asked if he had any lawful authority to be in possession of marijuana, Keagan said he did not.
The matter has since been adjourned to May 14.