The woman was fined by Magistrate Sejabuliso Siziba who said the offence Isaac has been charged with was a serious one that she could be imprisoned for one year and also be charged a P1, 500 fine. Sibiza noted that if one defaulted to pay the fine, they could be sent to prison for one to five years."From the charge sheet the prosecution relied on the penal code to come to a decision that you were in possession of an unlawful substance, which is dagga," he said.
He said the penal code applied to the offence that was committed by Isaac can be a fine of P1,000 and three years imprisonment and it would be taken as a maximum sentence.Sibiza explained that in sentencing Isaac, he would consider that she is a first time offender and had pleaded guilty when asked to take a plea. He further said that she also committed an offence at the age of 55 years old and apologised in court for the offence she committed."Though I will consider that you are a first time offender, I will not forget that you committed a serious offence and there is a need to pass a deterrent sentence. "Use of dagga is associated with social unaccepted behaviour in the society and we should make sure that the society is safe," Siziba said. In passing his sentence, he fined Isaac P900, payable before the end of September 28, 2012. He said in default of paying the P900, she would be imprisoned for nine months. Sibiza added that the dagga will be given to the police for purposes of disposal.Isaac said she would pay the money because she sells firewood from her homestead and would use the proceeds to settle the fine.
