16 WOMEN ARRESTED FOR DAGGA SET FREE

MBABANE –  Despite having been found in possession of dagga, it was all joy for 16 women of KaNcesi when the court granted them freedom yesterday.
This came after Chris Sibandze, who represented the Crown in the matter, applied for the withdrawal of the charges against the women.

They were charged for contravening Section 12 (1) (a) as read with Section 12 (1) (c) of the Pharmacy Act of 1929.
They are; Ntfombi Mnisi, Gugu Hlophe, Nonophile Fakudze, Simiso Mhlanga, Jabulile Mncina, Nonjabulo Mhlanga, Marry Tsabedze and Nolwazi Magagula.

Rest

The rest are Nomcebo Mncina, Ncamsile Mavuso, Queen Mhlanga, Dumsile Dlamini, Noncedo Mncina, Zanele Maseko, Sebenele Shabangu and Siphesihle Magagula.
The first accused was also charged for contravening Section 7 as read with Section 8 (1) of the Opium and Habit Forming Drugs Act of 1922.
It was alleged that the accused persons were found in possession of dagga weighing 73kg while at KaNcesi area.

The charge sheet stated that the first accused was found in possession of dagga seeds weighing 0.818 kg.
The women were arrested on February 5, 2020 and the matter was due for trial yesterday.

They were standing in the dock about to enter a plea when the crown moved an application for the withdrawal of the charges.
At first, Sibandze applied that the matter be removed from the roll.

However, he then applied for the withdrawal of the charges against the accused persons.
He stated that he would approach the Mbabane Principal Magistrate, Fikile Nhlabatsi, in her chambers concerning the reasons for the withdrawal.

Application

Sabelo ‘Chicken’ Dlamini, who represented the women in the matter, had no objection to the Crown’s application. 
The women left the courtroom and assembled outside the court premises after they were freed.
 The arresting officers were found leaning on some dagga exhibits outside the courtroom.

Their relatives, who eagerly awaited the verdict, were taken by surprise when they learnt that the charges against them had been withdrawn.
It appeared that the women had hired two kombis which were parked on the other side of the road.
Some of them failed to contain their happiness after the charges were withdrawn.

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