Woman uses mbanje to exorcise evil spirits

Portia Vimbelela (36) of 7A Southway, Burnside, was convicted on her own plea of guilty to contravening Section 157 (1)(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, when she appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Mrs Thobekile Mkhosana- Matimbe.

She was sentenced to three months in prison, which were wholly suspended for five years. Asked by the magistrate why she cultivated the plants, Vimbelela said she wanted to use them to exorcise evil spirits.

In sentencing her, Mrs Mkhosana-Matimbe noted that she was a first offender who pleaded guilty and did not waste the court's time.

“However, that does not mean the offence you committed is not serious. The law says if one cultivates three plants and above one would be doing it for commercial purposes and imprisonment is appropriate,” said the magistrate.

“However, in your circumstance, I was convinced that you wanted it for personal use. Don't repeat it again and find other means to exorcise the evil spirits.”
The charge against Vimbelela as presented by Mr Trust Muduma is that on 14 November, police received a tip-off that she was cultivating the dagga at her house.

Police raided the house and found the three plants growing in front of her sitting room window and arrested her. They took them to Criminal Investigations Department Drugs Section. They measured between 60cm and 120cm.