A 30-year-old woman from Beitbridge has been sentenced to four years in prison after she was caught trafficking illegal drugs hidden in bags of potatoes. The conviction has highlighted the ongoing battle against drug smuggling in Zimbabwe, particularly along the busy Beitbridge-Masvingo highway, a route increasingly associated with the movement of contraband.
The convict, Leanah Chaka, appeared before the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court where she faced charges of drug possession and trafficking. She pleaded guilty, prompting Magistrate Annia Chimweta to hand down a four-year jail sentence.
In delivering the ruling, the magistrate noted the seriousness of the offence, stressing that drug trafficking posed a danger to communities, especially the youth who are increasingly vulnerable to drug abuse. However, one year of the sentence was suspended on condition of good behavior, leaving Chaka to serve an effective three years in prison.
“The court cannot ignore the devastating effects of drug trafficking on society. These substances are destroying lives and futures. A custodial sentence is therefore appropriate, both as punishment and deterrence,” Magistrate Chimweta said.
The case dates back to September 18, 2025, when Chaka boarded a Honda Fit shuttle at Engen Garage in Beitbridge. She carried seven pockets of potatoes, appearing at first glance to be an ordinary traveler transporting farm produce.
However, the following morning, the vehicle was stopped at Bubi Roadblock along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway during routine police checks. Officers conducted a standard search of passengers’ belongings, during which suspicions were raised about the weight and packaging of the woman’s potato bags.
Upon closer inspection, the police uncovered 17 cobs of dagga concealed inside the potato sacks. The contraband weighed 9.3 kilograms and was valued at approximately US$930 on the street.
Chaka was immediately taken into custody, and the drugs were seized as evidence.
Beitbridge Woman Jailed for Drug Trafficking After Potato Bag Bust
Prosecutor Tinaye Manyika told the court that the woman had knowingly attempted to transport the dagga under the guise of farm produce. He emphasized that her actions were premeditated and calculated to evade law enforcement.
“The concealment method used demonstrates the deliberate intention to commit the offence,” Manyika argued. “Drug trafficking is a scourge that undermines communities, and such offenders must face the full wrath of the law.”
The case has once again drawn attention to Zimbabwe’s mounting struggle with drug abuse and trafficking. In recent years, authorities have reported increased cases of young people turning to illicit substances such as crystal methamphetamine (“mutoriro”), marijuana, and prescription drug cocktails.
The government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), has intensified efforts to curb the crisis. Roadblocks like the one at Bubi are part of wider enforcement operations aimed at intercepting drugs before they reach urban centers.
Community leaders and health experts have repeatedly warned that without strict enforcement, drug abuse could escalate into a full-blown public health emergency. Many rehabilitation centers are already overwhelmed with young addicts seeking help.
News of the woman’s conviction has sparked discussions in Beitbridge and beyond. Some residents welcomed the stiff sentence, saying it would send a clear message to would-be traffickers.
“People are making money at the expense of our children’s lives,” said one concerned parent. “The courts must continue to be firm. If they let such cases go unpunished, drug abuse will spiral out of control.”
Others, however, called for more than just arrests and convictions, arguing that poverty and lack of opportunities were driving some individuals, especially women, into illegal trade. “We must also look at the root causes. Many women in border towns are unemployed and see drug trafficking as a quick way to earn money,” a local activist commented.
For now, the woman will spend the next three years behind bars unless she violates the conditions attached to her suspended year. The ruling serves as a reminder of the risks involved in attempting to traffic drugs across Zimbabwe’s highways.
Authorities have urged the public to report suspicious activities and warned traffickers that law enforcement remains on high alert. “This conviction should stand as a deterrent. Zimbabwe is not a safe haven for drug dealers,” a ZRP spokesperson said after the ruling.
With border towns like Beitbridge serving as gateways for goods and people, the fight against drug smuggling is expected to remain a key priority for both law enforcement and the judiciary.
Source- Bulawayo24
