A 30-year-old man of Baha’i has been fined E2 000 by the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to selling dagga snacks to pupils at Baha’i High School for E5 each.
Banele Sitsebe appeared before Senior Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati facing one count of contravening Section 7 as read with Section 8(1) of the Opium and Habit-Forming Drugs Act No. 37 of 1922.
According to the charge sheet, on July 9 in the Hhohho region, Sitsebe is alleged to have been found in possession of one kilogram of dagga without a valid permit or licence.
After being advised of his constitutional right to legal representation, Sitsebe elected to conduct his own defence and pleaded guilty to the charge. During the proceedings, Senior Magistrate Vilakati asked the accused how much he charged for the dagga snack to which he said he sold them at E5.
During mitigation, Sitsebe expressed remorse and pleaded for a lenient sentence. He told the court that he regretted his actions and promised to never sell dagga to pupils again.
“I regret what happened. I have one child and earn a living by selling vegetables. I turned to selling dagga as a side hustle to supplement my income,” he said. Senior Magistrate Vilakati sentenced Sitsebe to 24 months imprisonment with an option of paying a fine of E2 000.
