Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Albert Nguluvhe, has urged law enforcement agencies to tighten the screws against illicit drug and substance dealings to curb the vice and bring culprits to book.
This follows growing public concerns over cases with the Department of Social Welfare reporting a total 1 556 individual arrests for drug abuse related cases in the province between January and August this year.
Of these arrests 1 269 are males and 287 are females while 48 have been convicted.
Common drugs in the province are marijuana, crystal meth, Benylin cough syrup, Broncleer cough syrup, astrapyne and other unregistered medicines.
The province so far recorded five deaths of people who succumbed to drug and substance abuse during the period under review.
During the period, a total of 68 drug users were treated and rehabilitated under the Ministry of Health and Child Care while 56 survivors of drug and substance abuse were successfully reintegrated back to their communities.
The province has managed to give family and community reintegration services while 40 campaigns were held focusing on behaviour change programmes.
Speaking during a recent drug and substance abuse resource mobilisation provincial launch programme in Gwanda, Minister Nguluvhe said the province recorded the highest number of arrests but there is no record of closure of drug bases.
“During the period January to August 2025 a total of 1 556 arrests and 48 convictions were made through the courts. These were arrests of suppliers and end-users of drugs and substances,” he said.
“Our province is among those that recorded the highest number of arrests.
It’s concerning that we recorded so many arrests but we don’t have record of drug bases that were busted.
“If we just make arrests and don’t deal with the problem at the root cause then we will continue moving around in circles. I would like to urge law enforcements agencies to go a step further and bust these bases,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe said the drug and substance abuse statistics are an indication that a lot of work has to be done and progress can only be achieved if all stakeholders are involved.
The national fight against drug and substance abuse is in response to President Mnangagwa’s clarion call on all citizens and institutions to intensify the fight against drug and substance abuse.
He said it is prudent for all stakeholders in the province to participate and support this plan in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“I’m glad that a lot of work and achievements have been registered in the province. The Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse Taskforce is operational.
“The province is faced with a myriad of challenges that require material and financial support in addition to the work that has already been done,” said Cde Nguluvhe.
However, Matabeleland South province does not have a functional stand-alone functional rehabilitation centre and relies on Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo.
The province has since identified the old TB clinic in Jahunda, Gwanda for rehabilitation so that it becomes the provincial referral centre for survivors of drug and substance abuse.
Mat-South is expected to raise US$280 000 towards the drug abuse fight and the money will be used for initiatives such as establishment of rehabilitation centres, recreational facilities, awareness campaigns, among others.
On a national level, the Government has set up a National Committee on Drug and Substance guided by seven pillars. The pillars focus on supply, demand, harm reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, legal frameworks, community reintegration and media strategies to ensure a holistic fight against the scourge.
A total of ZWG$865 million has been allocated through the Treasury to support the programme with individuals, corporations and development partners being urged to play a critical role through donations and partnerships. — @DubeMatutu
