Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
What began as an exhilarating night out for my friend Tamuka Charakupa, his wife, and I took an unexpected turn that none of us could have imagined.
After enduring long hours at work and travelling hundreds of kilometres for business, Tamuka, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) provincial Bureau Chief, and I were ready for a well-deserved escape.
Our mission was to sharpen our journalistic skills and create lasting memories for Mai Matipa, Tamuka’s lovely wife.
Last Sunday, we hopped into Tamuka’s vehicle, with Mai Matipa at the helm, and made our way from the bustling heart of Chinhoyi’s Central Business District to a lively spot in the industrial area, just a short distance away.
The aroma of grilled meat filled the air as we grabbed braai packs and chilled drinks, setting the stage for a perfect evening.
As I settled onto a bench, sipping a refreshing soda, Tamuka and Mai Matipa sneaked back to their car to change their daughter Matipa’s diaper.
The crisp evening air provided a delightful relief from the sweltering summer heat, and the mix of Chimurenga and Zimdancehall tunes had me completely immersed in bliss.
About 30 minutes later, a waiter approached me with news I was eager for.
I quickly called the Charakupas to join me, hungry and excited to dig into our delicious spread of well-seasoned pork and sausage. Just as we began to savour our first bites, a fellow journalist burst into our midst, his face painted with urgency.
“There’s been an accident outside. Your car was just hit,” he exclaimed.
Panic surged through us as we dashed to the parking lot, only to be met with the shocking sight of our vehicle damaged beyond belief.
An Isuzu twin cab belonging to Chinhoyi University of Technology had crashed into our parked car, deforming the passenger side doors.
The driver, a respected academic and doctor, allegedly attempted to flee the scene, but alert security guards and patrons rushed to block him.
What astonished everyone was the doctor’s audacity to drive in his state.
A visibly intoxicated doctor had indeed smashed into our parked car while driving a university vehicle.
He struggled to find his footing, each step a battle, and walking became an agonising ordeal.
To make matters worse, he was drooling, a striking sign that something was terribly off.
Engaging him in conversation was a rollercoaster of confusion, with mismatched thoughts and contradictions weaving a puzzling tapestry of words.
As the night unfolded, the truth hit like a thunderbolt: the esteemed academic, once celebrated for his brilliance, was a notorious figure in the world of alcohol abuse.
When traffic officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) arrived, they quickly intervened, preventing him from driving home. A team from the university’s security and transport departments took control of his vehicle, ensuring the night wouldn’t spiral further out of control.
It was a night charged with unforgettable energy, filled with disappointment and a profound sense of responsibility that fuelled our actions.
The incident served as a stark reminder of the alarming rise in drug and substance abuse that poses a serious threat to our community.
This alarming event reignited the conversation about the urgent need for awareness and action against substance misuse, which extends beyond illegal drugs and touches every aspect of society.
In an interview, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, lamented the issue of alcohol abuse.
“Zimbabwe, like any other country, condemns and criminalises driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol and drugs. It is unfortunate that people think the fight against drug and substance abuse is only aimed at illicit substances.
“It also addresses the abuse of legal alcohol brands. Alcohol must be consumed in moderation; one shouldn’t endanger their life or others after consuming it,” said Minister Chombo.
She emphasised that the fight against drug and substance abuse requires more than awareness and policy; it demands resources, programmes, and community resilience.
“Investment in rehabilitation centres, youth empowerment, counselling, education, and training for law enforcement and health workers is essential to address root causes. As a province, we cannot rely solely on punishment; our young people need hope, not handcuffs.
“Substantial financial, technical, and material support is critical,” stated Minister Chombo.
ZRP provincial spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kohwera, mentioned that operations to curb the drunk driving menace were being enforced, alongside raids on cross-border buses and trucks to combat drug and substance abuse.
As the province gears up to rally the financial resources needed to tackle the pressing issues of drug and substance abuse, it’s also a pivotal moment for the academic staff at Chinhoyi University of Technology to reflect on their own habits and set an inspiring example for others.
