By Melisa Munzvandi
A taxi driver allegedly caught with dagga told the court he did not know what was in the parcel he had been sent to collect.
Clever Mupfuvaire appeared before Regional Magistrate Charity Maphosa charged with unlawful possession of dagga.
Tawanda Chigavazira appeared for the State.
It is alleged that on August 15 this year, at around 0700 hours, an investigating officer identified only as Dare, received information that Mupfuvaire was carrying dagga.
Dare went towards Bulawayo Road with another detective Inspector Jim driving.
They parked in front of Mupfuvare’s vehicle.
The court heard that on seeing the police, Mupfuvaire ran away for about 50 to 60 metres into the bush before he was apprehended.
Dare, is both the investigating and arresting officer.
Dare said the dagga was in a green sack concealed with cardboard boxes.
Police weighed the dagga and obtained a forensic report confirming it was dagga.
In his defence Mupfuvaire claimed the parcel was sent by one Sibongile Siziba and that he did not know it contained dagga.
He said he was arrested inside the car and denied fleeing.
Under cross examination, however, he said it was not in dispute the dagga something he said discovered after police said so.
He questioned why there was no charge of attempting to escape if the State claims he fled.
Dare said police investigated the alibi involving Sibongile Siziba and found no evidence linking her to the offence.
The court also heard that Mupfuvaire is not the owner of the vehicle he was driving.
He claimed the truck from which he collected the parcel was still at the scene at the time of his arrest and police could have arrested the person who brought the parcel.
The matter was adjourned to Thursday.