By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
A 43-year-old truck driver has been remanded in custody by the Beitbridge Regional Court after he allegedly attempted to transport nearly 45 kilograms of dagga concealed in a maize consignment.
Kudakwashe Mbengo appeared before Magistrate Charity Maphosa, facing charges of unlawful dealing in dangerous drugs.
According to the State represented by Mercy Nyathi, the offence occurred on February 7, 2026 at around 0930 hours at the 80-kilometre peg along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Road, near Lion and Elephant Motel.
Mbengo was driving a Time Link Cargo truck, registration number CAA 537-162, towing two trailers when he was stopped at a roadblock manned by members of the National Task Force.
Nyathi told the court that the truck was carrying a consignment of yellow maize covered with a tent.
A search allegedly led to the recovery of 29 cobs of dagga from the first trailer and four cobs from the second trailer, hidden on top of the maize beneath the tent.
The dagga was seized and the accused was arrested.
It was later weighed at Zimpost Beitbridge in Mbengo’s presence and recorded a total weight of 44.886 kilograms, with an estimated street value of US$41,488.60.
The State further alleged that Mbengo had no lawful authority to possess or deal in dangerous drugs.
Mbengo, who resides at Zengeza 3 in Chitungwiza, is employed as a truck driver with Time Link Cargo, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He was remanded in custody to February 23, 2026 to allow for pending investigations.