British police confused a Zimbabwean food with drugs after a car crash near Castle Eaton. Tinashe Ndongwe crashed his car on February 3 on the A419 road. Officers found white powder wrapped in plastic bags inside his vehicle. Tests later proved the substance was sadza, a common dish eaten across southern Africa. West Midlands Police canceled all drug charges yesterday.
Ndongwe had made the sadza earlier that day for his dinner. Police first thought the white substance might be amphetamine. They charged him with intent to supply Class B drugs before lab results came back. Farai Muchenje from the Birmingham Zimbabwean Community Association compared sadza to mashed potatoes for British people. The story became popular online with many jokes about keeping a man from his meal.
The 26-year-old Southampton resident admitted to dangerous driving during the incident. He faces sentencing on April 22 at Swindon Crown Court. His case started discussions about cultural awareness among police officers. Many people believe police need better training about diverse foods. The mistake highlights challenges in multicultural areas like the West Midlands.
Ndongwe had made the sadza earlier that day for his dinner. Police first thought the white substance might be amphetamine. They charged him with intent to supply Class B drugs before lab results came back. Farai Muchenje from the Birmingham Zimbabwean Community Association compared sadza to mashed potatoes for British people. The story became popular online with many jokes about keeping a man from his meal.
The 26-year-old Southampton resident admitted to dangerous driving during the incident. He faces sentencing on April 22 at Swindon Crown Court. His case started discussions about cultural awareness among police officers. Many people believe police need better training about diverse foods. The mistake highlights challenges in multicultural areas like the West Midlands.
