Jailed despite TB claim

MULENGA MUSONDA Writes THE Choma Magistrates Court convicted a Wheel barrow pusher to 3 months in jail despite his plea that he was a Tuberculosis patient. Webster Walubita received his 3 months imprisonment with hard labour after he admitted to Trafficking in 7.15 gms of Cannabis. In this case Walubita was charged with trafficking in PsychotropicsSubstances namely Marijuana, a herbal product of Cannabis Sativawithout lawful authority or medical recommendation. According to the Facts stated by Public Prosecutor Pearson Chilumbu, the suspect was apprehended by the Drug Enforcement Commission on 26th May 2020 after they received information that he was selling the Contra band to members of the public in Choma’s Kachacha Township. He said when the officers booked out to the area, they found the accused person sitting under a tree.When a search was conducted on him 3 balls of Cannabis were found in his pockets. A sample of the suspected Drugs were sent to the University Teaching Hospital Food and Drugs Laboratory to which the Public analyst report confirmed to be Marijuana. After the Facts were read to him, Walubita admitted that the statement was a clear reflection of what happened. In mitigation Walubita explained to Senior Resident Magistrate IdahMupemo that he smokes Marijuana because it gives him strength considering the kind of work he does. Despite pleading guilty and stating that he is suffering from the White Plague, Magistrate Mupemo sentenced him to 3 months in jail with hard labour with effect from 12 June 2020. The Court further advised Walubita to stay away from Drugs as the next time he will be convicted for such an offence, he will receive not less than 10 years behind bars. The Sun