Chiredzi- A Police officer at ZRP Ndali, Sergeant Livingston Munhukwaye is lucky to get away with a light sentence of 5 years behind bars for illegal possession of a record 146kg of dagga.
By Costain Shamu
Munhukwaye was arrested on 1 February this year together with his girlfriend Phyllis Mufandaedza, who pleaded guilty to the offence and was also sentenced to 5 years.
The duo were arrested after a high speed chase from his workmates who were part of the patrol team that was reacting to a tip off on their loot.
The Dagga was recovered at Mufandaedza’s homestead at Masekesa business centre by two detectives, Obert Musosa and Moses Chewiro.
The two detectives were allegedly bribed by the convicted duo to release the Dagga they had confisticated and loaded into their vehicle.
Privy sources say the detectives were allegedly paid US$400-00 to release the Dagga and the two suspects.
Luck ran out of the suspects after a patrol team that was alerted to the crime pounced on them on the way. Munhukwaye was driving the get away car.
The now convicted fled in high speed along Tanganda road but were caught along the way.
The two detectives were later picked up for accepting the bribe and were immediately suspended from the Police force until finalisation of the criminal case.
In passing the sentence, Chiredzi Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu on Friday noted that Munhukwaye and Mufandaedza were first offenders, but considered the gravity of the offence and that the accused is a Police officer who is expected to uphold the Law. She ruled that the Cop must serve 5 years effectively.
Munhukwaye is the first person in Chiredzi District to be found and convicted for possessing such a large amount of the illicit drug.
