Members of the Harare Community Policing Forum (CPF) praised the police for a stunning job after they arrested a 32-year-old man on Saturday 29 January for illegally cultivating dagga on his premises at Endlovini informal settlement.
At least 274 dagga plants were confiscated from his garden.
Harare CPF chair Funeka Soldaat described the arrest as a lesson to the community.
She said the police are trying by all means to fight against crime and drugs in the community.
“It is not clear why the suspect cultivated the dagga. But according to the law a person can be allowed to have a certain amount of it for personal use, not the whole garden,” said Soldaat.
She praised the whistle-blowers for the great job. “It’s high time for the community to work closely with the police. They must report whatever is suspicious in the communities,” she explained, adding that the police are there to protect and assist the community.
Provincial police spokesperson Capt Frederick van Wyk confirmed the incident.
He said on Friday 21 January information was received from the police Air Wing Unit of a possible dagga plantation in the Endlovini area.
He said Harare police located the premises in question and monitored the activities at the address. “On Thursday 27 January the police together with law enforcement officers conducted an operation at the identified premises. During the operation 274 mature dagga plants were confiscated and a 32 year old suspect was arrested,” said Van Wyk.
