BULAWAYO – A 23-year-old man from Bulawayo has been sentenced to one month in prison after being caught with 12 sachets of dagga, as authorities intensify efforts to clamp down on drug abuse in the city. Meanwhile, in a separate case, a stock controller from a local wholesale outlet is facing theft charges involving goods worth thousands of dollars.
Tatenda Taputai, a resident of New Lobengula suburb, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Archie Wochiwunga, where he was convicted of unlawful possession of dagga. He was handed a four-month prison sentence, with three months suspended for three years on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that time. This means Taputai will serve an effective one-month term behind bars.
According to the State, represented by prosecutor Tafara Dzimbanhete, Taputai was arrested on April 10 around midday during a patrol by detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit in Bulawayo.
While patrolling New Lobengula, officers noticed a group of young people gathered outside Taputai’s residence. Suspicious of a possible drug transaction, the detectives kept the group under surveillance and observed what they believed to be an exchange of illicit substances.
“When officers approached the house, the accused, who was carrying a small plastic bag, fled into the house, leaving the gate open,” said Dzimbanhete.
The group of youths dispersed while the detectives gave chase and managed to apprehend Taputai inside the house’s sitting room. During the pursuit, he dropped the plastic bag, which officers recovered. Upon inspection, it was found to contain 12 sachets of dagga, weighing 35 grams and valued at approximately US$12 on the street.
Bulawayo Man Jailed Over Dagga Possession, Stock Controller in Court for Alleged $2,430 Theft
Taputai was immediately arrested and taken to Luveve Police Station in Bulawayo along with the seized dagga. His conviction adds to a growing list of drug-related arrests in Bulawayo, with police expressing concern over the increasing number of young people involved in the drug trade and consumption.
In an unrelated incident, Tafadzwa Austin Jiji, a 29-year-old stock controller employed by Metro Peach Cash and Carry Wholesale in Bulawayo, has appeared before the same magistrate facing a charge of theft involving goods worth US$2,430.
Jiji, who resides in Entumbane suburb, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on US$50 bail. As part of his bail conditions, he was ordered to reside at his stated address and not interfere with State witnesses while awaiting trial. He is scheduled to return to court on August 18.
Prosecutor Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that the alleged offence occurred on May 21, when the wholesale received a large consignment of fruit juice—720 cases of Cascade 20×400ml bottles—delivered in two separate batches.
“The first batch of 450 cases was properly recorded into the system, but the second batch, delivered the following day, was not,” said Kufandikanwe.
It is alleged that Jiji deliberately failed to enter the second batch into the inventory system and proceeded to sell the unrecorded goods. He allegedly pocketed the proceeds and converted the funds for personal use.
The theft was only discovered after the wholesale’s branch manager, Shepherd Machanja (36), conducted a stock reconciliation and noticed the discrepancy. Machanja then filed a report at Mzilikazi Police Station, leading to a police investigation.
Following the investigation, police arrested Jiji and conducted a search at his residence. Authorities recovered several high-value items believed to have been purchased using the stolen funds, including a solar panel, inverter, battery, and a satellite dish.
Jiji continues to maintain his innocence, but prosecutors argue that the pattern of evidence strongly points to a deliberate act of theft. His case has sparked concern among local business owners who say internal fraud is a growing threat in the retail and wholesale sectors.
Both incidents have drawn public attention, highlighting two distinct but growing problems in Bulawayo — drug abuse among youth and internal corporate theft. Community leaders and law enforcement officials have called for increased awareness campaigns, tighter security measures in workplaces, and more youth-focused anti-drug initiatives.
Meanwhile, police have vowed to continue patrols and sting operations targeting drug dealers, while employers are being urged to tighten stock control and audit systems to prevent employee-related theft.
These cases serve as stark reminders of the legal consequences of both drug possession and white-collar crime in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.
Source- Herald
