A MAN from Mozambique who was arrested for possessing almost $70 000 worth of dagga, has told a court that he used it to treat his epileptic son.
Farai Aruchipetu (40) of Pumula South suburb in Bulawayo said he owned part of the dagga that was found in his possession and professed ignorance about the origins of the rest of the illicit drug.
He appeared alongside an accomplice, Shepherd Edson Town (39), before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube, facing two counts of possession of dagga.
Aruchipetu pleaded not guilty to the first count of being found in possession of three 50 kg bags of dagga and the magistrate remanded him out of custody to tomorrow for continuation of trial.
On the second count, he admitted he was the owner of two bricks of dagga that were found on his person in a satchel.
During trial, Aruchipetu told the magistrate that he has an epileptic son and he uses dagga to treat him.
He said the drug was a famous remedy for epilepsy in Mozambique.
“Your Worship, I admit police found dagga at my house when they laid an ambush. I use the dagga as medication for my son who suffers from epilepsy. I intended sending the dagga back home in Mozambique,” said Aruchipetu.
Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza told the court that police arrested the duo in August following a tip off.
“Police received information that Town was in possession of dagga. They recovered three and a half sacks containing dagga in the accused’s bedroom.
“Town told the police that the dagga belonged to Aruchipetu who brought it for safe keeping,” said Mr Mageza.
He added: “Police then used Town’s phone to call Aruchipetu pretending to be potential buyers. They asked him to come to Town’s house where they ambushed him.”
Mr Mageza said for the second count, Aruchipetu was found with two bricks of dagga weighing 260 grammes.
“Accused came to Town’s house with a black satchel containing one brick of dagga. Police took him to his house for further investigations. They recovered one more brick and another packet hidden in his cupboard,” he said.
A statement by the police read that one Simengani Ndlovu (34), a female vendor, was selling the rest of the dagga on the streets.-Chronicle
