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Masvingo — The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) arrested an elderly couple of Amos Mate, 67, and his wife Constance Chamunorwa, 63, of Mbande Village, Chief Ndanga, Zaka, on charges of unlawful cultivation of dagga (cannabis) or mbanje in local language shona.
The couple were arrested under section 157 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
The arrest took place at their homestead in Mbande Village.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said Police received a tip-off that the couple were cultivating dagga around their yard and inside their garden.
On 09 January 2026, at approximately 1000 hours, officers acted on the information and apprehended the two accused persons.
They led officers around their yard and garden, where 57 dagga plants, averaging two meters in height, were uprooted.
The accused are scheduled to appear in court soon.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauded members of the public for providing vital information that led to the arrest and urged the public to desist from dealing in or using drugs and illegal substances.
Inspector Dhewa added that the police will continue to intensify the fight against drug peddling.
The arrest of the Zaka couple marks the province’s second high-profile drug bust within a month in Masvingo Province after police recently arrested a man transporting a consignment of bronclear cough syrup along the Masvingo Beitbridge highway.
