Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
The bail ruling for five suspects accused of possessing 306 kilogrammes of dagga and 49 cartons of BronCleer cough syrup has been postponed to Friday.
The delay was announced on Monday by Mbare magistrate, Ms Sharon Mashavira, as the ruling was not ready.
The suspects Paradzai Kamurengemu (43), Givemore Tsavayo (38), Nhosikona Moyo (35), Tafadzwa Mapika (20), and Faith Matekede (37), are facing charges of dealing in dangerous drugs and possessing unregistered medicines.
The State, represented by District Public Prosecutor Ms Francisca Mukumbiri, opposed bail, arguing the five were facing serious charges and can abscond trial.
According to the State, on August 23 at around 1 am, detectives received a tip-off that the suspects were transporting illegal drugs in a truck, registration number AGA 7940.
Acting on this intelligence, the detectives initiated surveillance and intercepted the truck at the Kuwadzana Extension turn-off in Harare.
After identifying themselves and explaining their mission, the police searched the vehicle and discovered 20 sacks, each containing at least 10 kilogrammes of dagga, amounting to a total of 306.305 kilogrammes.
Four of the accused were arrested on the spot. During subsequent questioning, they implicated Faith Matekede as an accomplice.
Detectives arranged a meeting with Matekede along Robson Manyika Avenue in central Harare.
At the meeting, Matekede allegedly received two sacks of dagga and was immediately arrested.
In addition to the dagga, the five were reportedly found in possession of 49 cartons of BronCleer cough syrup, each containing 50x 100 ml bottles.
BronCleer is classified as a restricted medicine in Zimbabwe due to its codeine content, which makes it a popular substance for recreational abuse.
The five were subsequently taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs Office in Harare, where further investigations were conducted.
Both the dagga and the BronCleer were confiscated as evidence.