'Dirty dagga' case, MDC-T MP walks out of court a free man

MDC-T Mpopoma/Pelandaba MP Samuel Khumalo walked out a free man at a Bulawayo court after a magistrate said there is no evidence linking him to dagga found in his possession.

Khumalo was accused of possessing 4.5 grammes of manje with a street value of $4.50 in his vehicle after he had been taken to Western Commonage Police Station for allegedly being involved in a fracas in his constituency. That was last year on March 4. The day  police later raided his house and further 'discovered' 40.5 grammes of manje hidden in his bedroom. However, today (Wednesday) magistrate Rose Dube dismissed the case.

Dube said there is no water tight evidence that suggest the dagga was Khumalo's. The case had been postponed three times and all along Khumalo was out on $5O bail. Khumalo always maintained that he was not guilty.

"Dirty dagga in the sense that it originates and ends with the police. This, it is submitted, is no less than political prosecution to deal with a political activist to a scandalous finish. It is respectfully submitted that a reasonable court acting carefully might not properly convict on such convoluted and unreliable evidence as has been given. So far this accused should be discharged," he said through his lawyer Matshobana Ncube.

Last week, an the application for discharge by Mpopoma/Pelandaba MP Samuel Khumalo, facing charges of possessing marijuana was postponed.

Khumalo made the application a month ago through his lawyer Matshobana Ncube, arguing the dagga was planted in his car and bedroom by the police as part of political persecution.

He said it was curious that the matter, which attracted a fine and could be dealt with by a police station, was referred to the Criminal Investigations Department's Law and Order section which normally handles political matters.

Khumalo had pleaded not guilty and is out of custody on $50 bail. He also denied making threats to anyone.

The State also alleged that on February 19 last year, Khumalo threatened to beat up two MDC- T officials, Simon Nyoni and Aleck Gumede, for allegedly decampaigning him.

Jerry Mutsindikwa is prosecuted. 

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