MANZINI - A man who was arrested for dagga possession told the Magistrates Court that he mixed the substance with tea to cure influenza.

Zwelithini Dlamini (18) of Sithobelweni, said police found him drinking his concoction on the day of his arrest. Dlamini appeared before Magistrate Sindisile Zwane yesterday charged with contravening the Opium and Habit Forming Drug Act.

When the magistrate asked him what he was doing with the dagga, Dlamini said he had crushed and mixed it with tea to cure the flu. Magistrate Zwane asked who had given him the prescription and if he was a medical practitioner.

However, Dlamini could not answer the questions but told the court that he had faith that he would be cured after drinking the mixture.

"Have you seen people in the cities wearing dirty clothes and asking for coins? They are all facing the consequences of dealing with dagga," Magistrate Zwane said.

Dlamini apologised to the court and said he would not commit a similar offence in future.

Police officers had been attracted by the smell of dagga to a spaza shop operated by Dlamini, when they found the dagga weighing 0.046kg in a tea mug.

Dlamini committed the offence at Ntabamhloshana on September 7, 2012.

He was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment with an option of a E1 500 fine, which he paid.

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