Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
A NYANGA-based couple, which was caught by detectives selling unregistered medicines worth just US$30, has been hit hard in the pocket after being fined US$450.
Fungai Manyau (50), and his wife Maria Zimba (37), pleaded guilty to violating Section 29(1)(a) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act.
It prohibits the selling of unregistered medicines in Zimbabwe.
Nyanga magistrate Notebulgar Muchineripi sentenced the duo to pay a US$450 fine by Thursday and further suspended six months’ imprisonment for the next five years on condition that they do not commit a similar offence.
Prosecutor Nyasha Sesenyai informed the court that Manyau and Zimba were found selling cough syrups in their tuck shop in Nyamaropa without a permit or licence from the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.
“On April 14, 2026 at around 3pm, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department, Nyanga, who were at Chigura Business Centre, Nyamaropa, on patrol, approached the accused persons’ tuck-shop and found some unregistered medicines displayed for sale on the tuck-shop shelf among other cosmetics.
“Detectives approached Manyau, who was behind the shop counter serving customers, and introduced themselves and the purpose of their visit.
“Detectives requested to know the owner of the shop and Manyau stated that they co-owned the shop with Zimba, who was not present.”
Sesenyai added:
“Detectives searched the shop with Manyau’s consent, leading to the recovery of 70 tablets of GO COFF cough tablets, 58 tablets of Children’s Cafemol, 14x10g tins of Essential Balm (Stopping Pain) and 1x100ml bottle of COFLUX Cough Syrup, which are unregistered in Zimbabwe.
“Manyau was requested to produce any licences or permits from the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe authorising them to possess for sale the unregistered medicines and failed, leading to his arrest at the shop.
“Zimba was later arrested.
“On 2 April 2026, Nyanga District Hospital Government Pharmacist examined the recovered medicines and compiled a report confirming that the recovered medicines are not registered in Zimbabwe. The street value of the unregistered medicines is US$30.”
Bongani Ndlovu