Masvingo (Masvingo Star-New Ziana)- The sight of a police patrol team was so awe-instilling that a Mucheke mbanje peddler, Michael Muzembi, gave himself up and about 10kg of the drug worth over $2 000.

But in the process Muzembi’s relatives, Charlene Kutadza (24), and his sister and neighbour, Albertina Muzembi (33), were also arrested on suspicion of being his accomplices.

Masvingo police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the incident that occurred in Masvingo’s oldest high density suburb around 10.30am on Tuesday.

The trio was set to appear in court to answer to charges of being illegally in possession of the drug.

According to police, Michael was in his neighbourhood when he saw a patrol team coming from the opposite direction. The sight of the officers seemed to have struck him with fear that he turned and ran back home where he locked himself inside the house.

The police officers from Masvingo Central District became suspicious of Michael’s action and followed him to the house where they found him locked inside. The officers stood guard outside the house until Michael decided to come out.

They then inquired why he had ran away from them and locked himself in the house. He could not give a credible explanation and police officers decided to search his house.

Muzembi then told the police that he was in possession of mbanje. The police then searched the house and found 3,649kg of the drug stashed under a bed.

He also indicated that there was more mbanje that was being kept at his sister, Albertina’s house next door.

On searching the premises, the police officers recovered 5.833kg of mbanje that was hidden in the toilet and a dustbin.

The police officers also learnt that Michael had just arrived from an errand when he met up with the patrol team and decided to search his VW Golf car, where they found 1,503kg bringing the total haul to over 10kg.

The officers then arrested Michael, Kutadza, and Albertina for possession of the illegal drug.

Masvingo Star-New Ziana