By Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi|A self-proclaimed Rastafarian priest, stunned all and sundry when he claimed before a Chiredzi magistrate he uses mbanje to worship “God” at his shrine.
Paradzai Manjonjo (42), appeared before Chiredzi magistrate Constance Mutandwa last Friday after being arrested for selling mbanje.
The dreadlocked Manjonjo was arrested when the police raided his house following a tip-off. The police discovered 284 rolls of dagga weighing 2,3 kg in his house.
Manjonjo sent the court gallery into stitches when he claimed the drug was used as holy incense at his shrine during the sabbath.
He claimed his church imported the drug from Mozambique to burn it so that worshippers can move around in circles while praising God in the billowing smoke.
“Look here I am a Rastafarian priest and we use the plant during our services .We burn mbanje in a gourd and we then move around the altar as part of our prayer exercise.This plant helps us to communicate with our gods .When convicted I opt to go to Rusape or Mutare so that my followers and relatives will visit me,” said Manjonjo.
He was sentenced to 12 months in jail for the crime after six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
There has been a sharp increase in the number of people selling the drug as a result of various factor including unemployment in Zimbabwe.