A 26-year-old single mother caught in possession of three bottles of Broncleer cough syrup (bronco) has escaped a custodial sentence after the Masvingo Magistrates’ Court opted to impose a fine, taking into account her role as the sole provider for four children.
Charity Machondo of Chitembe Village under Chief Madzivire in Ngundu appeared before Magistrate Caroline Tafira Nyoni on 4 June 2026, facing charges of illegal possession of a scheduled medicine. She pleaded guilty.
The State, led by prosecutor Romeo Zibani, told the court that police acted on a tip-off and found Machondo in possession of three 100ml bottles of Broncleer, which were wrapped in plastic. She did not have a licence to possess or distribute the cough syrup.
In mitigation, her lawyer told the court that Machondo is a single mother of two school-going children.
Following the death of her sister, she also took in her two nieces and nephews, leaving her responsible for four dependents. With no formal employment, she had resorted to selling the medication to provide for basic needs.
Magistrate Nyoni noted that although the law prohibits the unlicensed possession of scheduled medicines, the court could not disregard the accused’s personal circumstances.
Instead of a prison term, she was ordered to pay a US$100 fine, with a one-month jail term in default of payment.
The court also suspended a further two-month prison sentence for five years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence involving dangerous drugs during that period.
More: TellZim News
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