A Tanzanian national, who told the Mbabane Senior Magistrate Siphosini Dlamini that he played for XI Men in Flight Football Club for six months, was, on Friday, sentenced to two years in prison or E2000 for being found in possession of 1.35 kilograms of dagga without a licence at Oshoek Border post on Thursday.
Said Mponda said he had been sent by a friend to South Africa to sell the dagga when he was arrested at the border.
He apologised to government and the court for having committed the offence.
Mponda, in mitigation, said he was never committed of a crime even in his home country.
“I will never commit crime again,” he said.

Magistrate Dlamini said it was not in the interest of the society to commit crime.
He observed that such crimes were prevalent in the country, adding that Swaziland had become notorious for producing dagga in the Southern Africa. “Swaziland has become a black ship in civilised countries,” he remarked.  Before passing the sentence, Magistrate Dlamini took into account that the Mponda’s personal circumstances, nature of the offence and interest of society.
He, however, mentioned that his personal circumstances could not override the seriousness of the offence.
“I will pass a sentence that will be loud and clear to would-be offenders as well,” he said.
Appearing for the Crown was Philisiwe Simelane, who chose not to lead any evidence in this matter.  Mponda had pleaded guilty to the offence.

Sauce