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Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
TWO brothers from Binga have been jailed after being found with 64 flourishing plants of mbanje in their gardens. Police, acting on a tip-off, found Moses Munenge, 40 and his brother Stanley, 34, both from Sianungu area, Kariangwe with mbanje plants measuring between 55cm and 1,5 metres in height. They told the court the mbanje was their only source of livelihood.

The brothers appeared separately before Binga magistrate Ailene Munamati charged with growing and possession of mbanje. Both of them pleaded guilty to the charge and told the court they wanted to sell the mbanje and fend for their families.

The magistrate sentenced Moses to 40 months in jail but suspended 16 months for five years on condition of good behaviour. He will therefore serve an effective 24 months in jail.

“I wanted to sell the mbanje and get money to raise my children,” said Moses. His younger brother Stanley was sentenced to 30 months in prison of which 12 months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

He will serve 18 months in jail. The plants were forfeited to the State for destruction. Prosecuting, Bruce Maphosa said police acted on a tip-off from members of the public on Monday last week.

“Police received a tip-off from members of the public that there were some people who were in possession of mbanje and proceeded to Moses’ homestead. Upon arrival they found 40 plants in Moses’ garden and the plants were measuring between 55cm and 1,5 metres,” said Maphosa.

He said the cops proceeded to Stanley’s homestead where they also found 24 flourishing plants of mbanje of the same height. The two brothers were immediately arrested.