Kabwe court sets marijuana trafficking judgment date

The Kabwe Magistrate’s Court has set September 30, 2026 as the date for judgment in a case involving a 39-year-old farmer accused of trafficking in 700 grams of marijuana. Kabwe Resident Magistrate Sebastian Mwenya set the judgment date after hearing testimonies from both the…

The Kabwe Magistrate’s Court has set September 30, 2026 as the date for judgment in a case involving a 39-year-old farmer accused of trafficking in 700 grams of marijuana.

Kabwe Resident Magistrate Sebastian Mwenya set the judgment date after hearing testimonies from both the prosecution and defence teams in the case involving Gerard Sipalo of Shamabanse Compound.

Sipalo is charged with trafficking in psychotropic substances, contrary to Section 6 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia, as read with Statutory Instrument Number 119 of 1995.

During the defence hearing, Sipalo called one witness, Perthias Mubanga, who told the court that he was working as a bricklayer at Sipalo’s house on the material day.

The court heard that on June 5, 2026, Sipalo allegedly trafficked 700 grams of marijuana, a herbal product of Cannabis sativa, in Kabwe District without lawful authority.

Sipalo was arrested by a four-member team of Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers who raided his premises on the night of June 5, 2026.

Throughout the trial, Sipalo maintained his innocence and denied the charge, alleging that the DEC officers planted the 700 grams of marijuana in his bag.

Sipalo has since closed his defence after calling one witness.

Magistrate Mwenya adjourned the matter to September 30, 2026 for judgment while Sipalo remains in police custody.