Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza and Dalyn Chigwizura, Chronicle Writers
THE fight against drug and substance abuse in Bulawayo is gathering momentum, with police arresting 39 suspects linked to drug-related offences in the past two weeks and shutting down an illegal rehabilitation centre in Cowdray Park suburb whose owner is now being sought by police.
The latest arrests come as Government intensifies efforts to curb drug and substance abuse, which has emerged as one of the country’s most pressing social challenges, particularly among young people.
Addressing the media at her office at the Mhlahlandlela Government Complex yesterday, Minister of State for
Bulawayo Metropolitan Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, said the province is recording positive results through a multi-pronged approach that combines law enforcement, rehabilitation and public awareness campaigns.
She said the province was also moving to strengthen treatment and recovery services through plans to establish two additional rehabilitation centres in Lobengula and at Ingutsheni Central Hospital.
“Collaborative interventions targeting drug and substance abuse have been intensified through supply reduction, demand reduction, treatment, rehabilitation and community reintegration initiatives,” said Minister Ncube.
“During the second half of May 2026, a total of 39 individuals were arrested for offences related to drug and substance abuse. Of these, some were fined by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, while five were convicted and four fined by the courts.”
One of the major breakthroughs during the period was the closure of an unregistered rehabilitation facility operating in Cowdray Park.
Minister Ncube said the facility’s owner allegedly abused men and women housed at the centre and is now on the run.
“The victims have since been reunited with their families while investigations continue,” she said.
In another significant operation, police arrested five men on Saturday along the Bulawayo-Solusi Road after they were allegedly found transporting 360 kilogrammes of loose marijuana worth ZiG10,8 million.
“Five suspects who are males were arrested over the weekend along Solusi Road after being found in possession of 360 kilogrammes of loose dagga,” said Minister Ncube.
The five men, Gordon Nkomo (58) of Sidini Village under Chief Mahlathini in Tsholotsho, and Nkosiyabo Moyo (27), Shepherd Nkomo (43), Beven Sibanda (40) and Isaiah Moyo (31), all of Ntoli Village under Chief Manguba in Plumtree, yesterday appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure facing a charge of unlawful dealing in dangerous drugs.
They were remanded in custody to June 10.
Prosecuting, Ms Christina Manyika told the court that the five were arrested during an anti-smuggling operation conducted by police along the Bulawayo-Solusi Road.
The court heard that police officers intercepted a white Toyota Hilux single-cab vehicle, registration number DN08VG-GP, which was towing a green trailer, registration number KW27YZ-GP, at the 25-kilometre peg.
According to the State, Gordon Nkomo was driving the vehicle while the other four accused persons were travelling as passengers.
“Police officers stopped the vehicle, identified themselves and requested to conduct a search,” said Ms Manyika.
During the search, officers recovered 18 plastic bags containing loose dagga in the trailer. The accused persons were asked to produce a licence or permit authorising them to possess the substance, but they failed to do so leading to their arrest and subsequent seizure of the consignment. Police also impounded the vehicle and trailer allegedly used to transport the illicit drug.
The arrests form part of a nationwide crackdown on drug syndicates and peddlers under the Government’s Whole-of-Society Approach, which brings together Government departments, law enforcement agencies, churches, traditional leaders, community organisations and families in the fight against substance abuse.
While enforcement remains a key pillar of the strategy, the Government is increasingly focusing on prevention through awareness campaigns targeting schools, tertiary institutions and communities.
Minister Ncube said more than 41 000 people were reached through awareness programmes conducted across the province during the reporting period.
“A total of 41 184 people were reached through awareness campaigns conducted in primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions and communities across the province.
“These engagements focused on educating young people about the dangers of drug and substance abuse, promoting positive behavioural choices and encouraging them to resist peer pressure and other harmful influences,” she said.
The province conducted six awareness campaigns in schools and another six in communities, while Cultural Day exhibitions provided an additional platform to engage children, adolescents and young people on the dangers associated with drug and substance abuse.
Zimbabwe has in recent years witnessed a rise in drug and substance abuse cases, with authorities expressing concern over the growing use of illicit substances among youths. The problem has been linked to school dropouts,
mental health challenges, crime, family breakdown and unemployment among other challenges.
Government has responded by establishing rehabilitation facilities, strengthening law enforcement operations and scaling up awareness programmes aimed at reducing both the supply and demand for drugs.
