TWO women were last week arraigned before Victoria Falls magistrate for possessing hazardous substances, after they were found in possession of skin lightening creams and beauty enhancers.
OWN CORRESPONDENT Sibahle Bhasopo (35) from Mkhosana Township and Sibongile Ndlovu (48) from Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, are being charged under the Medicine and Allied Substances Act.
This was after they were found with an assortment of creams that include Extra Clere, Diproson, Betasol, Epiderm, Lemon Vite, Movate, Neoprosone, Carolight, Apetito, Bodere, Princess, Bu-tone, Clairmen and Ibuprofen on January 22.
The two pleaded not guilty to the charge when they appeared before magistrate Sharon Rosemani and claimed the consignment belonged to three unnamed Zambian women.
“Those products were not ours, they belonged to three Zambian women who came to my shop carrying a bag,” Bhasopo said.
“We did not even know what was in the bag until the police opened it. We tried explaining to the police and showing them the owners of the bags as they were still in the complex near the shop, but the police ignored and arrested us.”
Prosecutor, Takunda Ndovorwi told court that, on January 22 at around 8pm, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Detective received a tip-off to the effect that the suspects were in possession of hazardous substances in a shop at Sibindi Complex at Emaplankeni.
The detectives proceeded to the shop and found the shop keeper, Bhosopo in the company of Ndlovu and they searched the bags which were on the floor.
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The accused persons were then arrested.
Bhasopo and Ndlovu were remanded out of custody to February 6 on $200 bail each.
