Mbabane – A 47-year-old woman from Hawane stunned the court when she claimed she was wrongfully arrested, stating that police officers took her from her home against her will and charged her with possession of 2.8 kilograms of dagga.
Jabulile Kunene told the court that on May 15, when she was charged with violating Section 7 as read with Section 8(1) of the Opium and Habit-Forming Drugs Act No. 37 of 1922, as amended, she attempted—unsuccessfully—to explain to the arresting officers that the consignment did not belong to her, but to her husband, who was not at home at the time.
According to the charge sheet, Kunene was found in possession of 2.8 kilograms of the “potentially poisonous substance” without the required permit or license. She said the police arrived at her home in Hawane after she had returned from work and demanded to see her. They questioned her about unidentified bicycles linked to an ongoing investigation. She said she eventually found herself behind bars over the dagga.
It was unclear whether the police had a search warrant, but Kunene stated the incident took place within her yard. During her mitigation, Kunene told Magistrate Xolile Nxumalo that the dagga in question belonged to her husband. She further claimed that the police did not verify the information she provided but nonetheless detained her and held her at the remand centre.
Kunene admitted that the police did find the dagga in her home and pleaded guilty on her own plea. She requested leniency from the court, noting that she had a minor child at home. Expressing deep remorse, she assured the court that she would not commit such an offense again. Her husband has reportedly claimed ownership of the dagga.
Magistrate Nxumalo sentenced Kunene to a fine of E1,200 or, in default of payment, eight months’ imprisonment. The sentence was wholly suspended for twelve months, on condition that Kunene does not commit a similar offense during that period.
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