Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
A MABUTHWENI home in Bulawayo, notoriously known for all-night drug binges, has become the centre of a heartbreaking tragedy after a two-month-old baby boy died, allegedly after being breastfed by his intoxicated mother.
The infant, Sibusiso Dube, died on November 3, under circumstances police have described as “deeply disturbing,” following a crystal-meth smoking spree involving his mother, Rejoice Dube (22), and her friend, Junior Sibanda (31).
According to Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the young mother admitted she was high on crystal meth and dagga when she breastfed her baby on the night of November 3, before she passed out.
Insp Msebele said Dube and Sibanda reportedly slept so heavily that they only woke up around 7AM, long after the baby should have been checked on.
“Still under the influence, Dube again breastfed the infant before drifting back to sleep. When she finally woke up around 9AM, the baby was unresponsive,” said Insp Msebele.
She said a panicked Dube alerted Sibanda, who then called a neighbourhood watch committee member, Thulani Khanyi (45), who escorted Dube to Western Commonage Police Station to file a report.
“What officers found inside the cramped Mabuthweni house shocked them. The baby’s body lay on a single bed in the sitting room, an area partitioned from the kitchen. “His tiny face had visible injuries.
The infant had a fresh scratch above the right eye and swelling on the right cheek,” said Insp Msebele.
She said Dube, who was disoriented, could not explain how her child was injured, telling officers she was too intoxicated to recall. But the most chilling discovery was the state of the home itself.
Insp Msebele said the house doubles as a drug haven, frequented by “several ladies of the night” who gather there nightly to smoke crystal meth and drink alcohol until dawn.
“CID detectives recovered drug-smoking paraphernalia hidden in the home, now seized as evidence. Dube later confessed that she and Sibanda have been addicted to crystal meth since 2020,” said Insp Msebele.
She said the infant was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital, where a doctor certified him dead before the body was transferred to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post-mortem.
The postmortem results stated the child died as a result of suffocation. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the suburb, with residents expressing outrage that a drug den was operating freely in their community until it claimed the life of an innocent child.
Insp Msebele said they had taken residents’ concerns seriously and have been monitoring the alleged drug den.
“Residents must report any suspicious activity occurring in their neighbourhoods and not wait for tragic incidents such as this one to occur for police to take action.
“We also warn members of the public to refrain from engaging in illicit activities such as the abuse of drugs and substances, as they have serious repercussions. Unfortunately, an innocent child’s life was lost as a result of reckless behaviour,” said Insp Msebele.
“We urge community leaders to monitor our teenagers and young adults, as they are the most affected by this drug and substance abuse scourge. It’s really shocking to learn that a breastfeeding mother is addicted to drugs.”
Insp Msebele said the matter is being processed with the courts, although the young mother is not in custody.
Zimbabwe has been actively involved in a war against drugs, with intensified efforts by the Government and law enforcement, in collaboration with community stakeholders, to curb rampant substance abuse, particularly among youth.
The campaign involves a multi-sectoral approach with strategies focused on supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation and community reintegration.
The Government and various non-governmental organisations are engaging young people and communities to raise awareness and promote drug-free lifestyles.
Public information campaigns and a toll-free number for anonymous reporting have also been introduced.
The Government launched the multi-sectoral National Drug Control Master Plan (2020-2025) and the new Multisectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030) to co-ordinate the national response.
The Government is expected to launch the 2024-2030 plan officially soon. The most abused drugs include cannabis (mbanje), crystal methamphetamine (mutoriro), and various prescription drugs like cough syrups (bronclear) and diazepam (mangemba).
New, dangerous methods of intoxication have also emerged, such as the “Bluetooth” method (infusing intoxicated blood) and drinking sodium polyacrylate from boiled diapers.
