By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
AN officer in the President’s Department aged 35 has been jailed for six years for dealing in 75.86 kilograms of dagga valued at US$7 586.
Michael Vengai Majari appeared before Magistrate Charity Maphosa on Tuesday this week.
Majari however had one and a half years suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The court heard that on January 31, 2026, at around 2AM, Majari stationed at 420 Kadoma Training Institute and his co-accused, Tinashe Muleya (27), were stopped at a police roadblock near the 80 kilometre peg along the Beitbridge – Masvingo Road.
The two were travelling in a white AD Van when members of the National Task Force conducted a search.
Police recovered several packages of dagga hidden in the vehicle, including cobs stashed in containers in the boot and others concealed behind the driver’s seat.
The consignment was later weighed at the Beitbridge Post Office, confirming a total of 75.86 kilograms.
Following their arrest, Majari and Muleya implicated two women namely, Sharon Kahiya (32) of Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge, and Pepiullar Mataka (27) of Chegutu alleging their involvement in the drug supply chain.
This led to the subsequent arrest of the two.
However, after full trial proceedings, the court acquitted Muleya, Kahiya and Mataka, citing insufficient evidence linking them to the offence.
Mercy Nyathi prosecuted