The Dedza Senior Resident Magistrate court on May 5 2022 ordered a South African national to pay a fine of 2 Million Malawi Kwacha for being found in possession of 112 bags of cannabis sativa locally known as chamba.

The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Washie Chilonda heard that on April 22 2022 Dedza Police Station were conducting patrols. In the course of their duty, they arrested Trust Hlengeni Masingi, 45, for possessing the said bags of cannabis sativa.

Appearing before court, Masingi pleaded guilty to the charge of being found in possession of cannabis sativa contrary to Section 19(2) of the Dangerous Drug Act.

In his submission, state prosecutor Chilonda asked the court to give the accused a stiff punishment in order to deter other would be offenders.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda concurred with the state’s submission and ordered Masingi to pay K 2 million or in default serve 36 months imprisonment with hard labour.

Trust Hlengeni Masingi hails from Limpopo city in the Republic of South Africa.