A man who pleaded guilty to being in possession of mandrax was given a five-year suspended sentence in the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning.
A man who pleaded guilty to being in possession of mandrax was given a five-year suspended sentence in the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning.
Mthetheleni Magwala, 30, had been found with six tabs of methaquolone, more commonly known by its street name “mandrax”, worth a street value of approximately R360.
He faced a R12 000 fine or 12 months’ imprisonment, but this sentence was suspended due to mitigating factors. The whole case was over in a matter of minutes.
Magistrate Ntsoki Moni told the court that drugs are a serious issue in the Grahamstown community.
“The accused did not waste the court’s time, and showed remorse for his actions,” Moni said.
The court also took into account the fact that Magwala is a first-time offender and has multiple dependents. Magwala looks after his own child as well as his sister’s children.
This was not the only case of drug offences on Tuesday, however. Another Grahamstown man, Sivuyile Ngqiyaza, appeared in court on similar charges.
He was found with one tab of Mandrax but was cautioned and discharged.
