MDC-T MP Samuel Sandla Khumalo arrested for possessing mbanje

Samuel Sandla Khumalo

 

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) House of Assembly Member for Mpopoma-Pelandaba constituency in Bulawayo Samuel Sandla Khumalo was arrested on Friday after he was allegedly found in possession of five grammes of mbanje in his vehicle, police confirmed yesterday.

Ironically, Khumalo had gone to Nkulumane Police Station to file a report of malicious damage to property, claiming that his Parliamentary car was mobbed and stoned by a gang of youths along Hyde Park Road following a yet to be disclosed misunderstanding.Police spokesman Superintendent Andrew Phiri confirmed the arrest.

He said the lawmaker was in police custody at Western Commonage Police Station assisting police with investigations, adding that he would appear in court soon facing charges of illegal possession of dangerous drugs.

Supt Phiri said the drug was found when police officers were searching the MP’s car after he was alleged to be in possession of a firearm that he had used to scare away youths who were attacking him following an alleged scuffle earlier in the day.

“We received a report where an MDC-T House of Assembly Member in Bulawayo was arrested by police yesterday (Friday) after he was found in possession of mbanje weighing five grammes. Mr Khumalo had gone to Nkulumane Police Station to file a report of malicious damage to property, claiming that his vehicle had been stoned by a gang of youths along Hyde Park Road after a misunderstanding.

“The youths, however, said they stoned the vehicle after he threatened them with a pistol, which he vehemently denied,” said Supt Phiri.

He added that in an attempt to find out whether the claim by the youths that he was in possession of a firearm was true, police officers searched the car and found five grammes of mbanje whose origin and purpose in the vehicle the MP failed to satisfactorily explain.

He was arrested and taken to Western Commonage Police Station where he is still in custody assisting police with investigations.