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Sheron Tholiwe Tshuma

Codelia Mondela, Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO woman who was arrested after being found in possession of 3,143kgs of cocaine with a street value of $314 300 has appeared in court.

Sheron Tholiwe Tshuma (25) of Emganwini suburb was not asked to plead to charges of dealing in dangerous drugs (cocaine) before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi.

Mr Mkhwananzi remanded her in custody to Monday for her bail application. Tshuma is represented by Ms Taboka Nyathi of Makiya and Partners who said the charge should be altered since it was not correct.

“This is an offence of being found in possession of cocaine, but the charge and facts state that she was found dealing in drugs. May the court look into that matter. The accused person is asthmatic and it is not fair for her to be exposed to such conditions,” she said.

Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said Tshuma was arrested on Wednesday at Zimpost along Fort Street and 8th Avenue.

“The accused person was stopped and searched by the detectives and was found in possession of cocaine weighing 3,143 kgs with street value of $314 300,” he said.

The drug fetches between $75 and $150 per gramme in the country, depending on the grade and demand.

Tshuma shied away from cameras as she walked to the prison truck. She kept her head down and at some points tried to hide behind other inmates to avoid having her picture taken.

Sources close to the case on Thursday said Tshuma who works for an insurance company in the city centre received the cocaine through the post from India, via Harare and was supposed to send the highly addictive recreational drug to South Africa using omalayitsha.

Cocaine, also known as coke, is a potent stimulant used mainly as a recreational drug. It may be smoked, snorted or injected into the bloodstream.

It causes mental effects that makes the user lose touch with reality, gives them a false feeling of extreme euphoria or agitation. An overdose may be fatal while prolonged use causes severe addiction. — @MondelaC