Chronicle Editor
Blessing Karubwa, Chronicle Writer
VILLAGERS around Wanezi High School in Insiza District, Matabeleland South, have raised serious concerns about gold panners allegedly selling drugs to students.
These concerns surfaced during a drug awareness campaign held by the Brethren in Christ Church at the school. Bunyip Mine, located just four kilometres away, has become a source of worry.
Chief Mafu has previously described the mine as a haven for violence and crime.
In an interview with the Saturday Chronicle, Innocent Nyoni, the senior village head and chief of village heads in Ward 9B, expressed frustration at the situation. Despite attempts to reason with parents and gold panners, the problem persists.
“There’s been a lot of violence in the area. Some students are allegedly being recruited by gold panners to sell drugs to their classmates. We, as parents, can’t fight this alone. Law enforcement needs to join us. These gold panners are peddling drugs recklessly, endangering our children at Wanezi High School. The only police station is a worrying six kilometres away.
“At times, we usually ask the police to come and maintain peace because gold panners frequently generate a lot of violence in the neighbourhood. Police arrive at scenes late, which is regrettable given that the closest police station is over six kilometres from the school. The person in charge promised to make sure we would have law enforcement officers nearby in no time,” said Nyoni.
Nyoni further revealed attempts to engage suspected gold panners involved in the school drug trade.
He stressed the urgent need for regular law enforcement patrols in the area to deter students from getting involved in illicit activities.
“We have attempted to speak with Mzezewa, the manager of the Bunyip Mine, offering him advice on how to ensure that his workers do not participate in aggressive behaviour or come to sell drugs to school children. Additionally, we have consistently requested meetings with the chief, the councillor, and other authorities in an attempt to come up with strategies for ending the drug trade with Wanezi High School students and the violence in the community, but to no effect,” he said
Another parent, who requested anonymity, said the drug and substance abuse happening at the school is ruining the lives of children.
“We are very saddened because it seems like once you send your child to that school you will be indirectly recruiting him/her to drugs. Something has to be done, immediately,” she said.
School security officer Ezra Moyo corroborated the villagers’ concerns. He confirmed instances of students selling drugs on school grounds and underlined the need for comprehensive action.
Moyo further raised concerns about spaza shops potentially selling alcohol used to create dangerous drug cocktails, mentioning marijuana as a possible ingredient.
“We always have problems, especially with writing classes, as they would be in the business of selling and consuming drugs. In a bid to get rid of such people, we have enforced random searches of all day scholars and regular visitors around the school’s campus who have no business with the school.
“Some cases are now from villagers and nearby settlements. Besides drugs coming from Bunyip gold panners, there is a place called Tsotsi and another one iNyezi which is also where some drugs come from,” Moyo added.
A student at Wanezi High School, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that they are being targeted by gold panners from Bunyip Mine. The panners, the student alleged, are recruiting students to sell drugs to their peers in exchange for a profit.
The student described the tactics used, including mixing marijuana with undiluted Mazoe drinks purchased from nearby spaza shops. This creates a dangerous and potentially addictive concoction.
“The most common drug on this side is marijuana. There is a tuck shop outside the school and we go there during lunchtime or on Fridays to meet with gold panners from Bunyip Mine, just beside the tuck shop. They hire us to sell drugs to our peers and we sell them at US$10 per 100g.
“This business usually flourishes on sports days as we believe it boosts stamina in soccer and athletics. On such occasions, I usually make about US$25 a day with some making even US$50 a day,” said the pupil.
When questioned about concealing the drugs on school grounds, the student revealed that they resort to hiding them in unconventional places. These include tucking then under mattresses or inside deodorant roll-ons.
“We usually store our drugs in air vents, and roll-ons among other unrecognisable areas,” added the learner.
Contacted for a comment, the school head Dorcas Khumalo denied the allegations, saying they have not recorded such cases.
“If there are such cases, we will investigate, but meanwhile we do not have such cases. Yes, the school is surrounded by mines,” she said.
School pastor Reverend Mbongeni Sibanda echoed concerns about gold panners near the school selling drugs to students.
He added that the school has already contacted law enforcement to prevent students from being drawn into drug use.
“Wanezi Mission is surrounded by gold miners. Drug abuse has become part of their lives. Some are in the business of selling while some are using them. We have no power to chase them away, hence the best thing is to try and educate them and also try and encourage patrols by law enforcement agents. We are worried about our pupils,” he said.
Bunyip Mine plant manager Hadhjine Mberengwa (also known as Mr Mzezewa) vehemently denied the allegations against his employees. He made a counter-accusation, claiming Wanezi High School authorities themselves hire drug users who then target students.
“Our employees are no longer going to that school after work. We suspect everything is cooked there. Dig deeper into that and try to find out more. We will help you get the answers, otherwise, this is nonsense.
“Those parents should catch our employees in the drug business red-handed and bring them to us and we start from there. We know there is security at that school.
“This is a funny story. We do not do this. I would like to advise you that I suspect the team that is doing community service at Wanezi High School because in the morning they buy some beers and marijuana while on their way to the school. This is not a new thing,” he said.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has responded swiftly to the concerning reports of drug activity at Wanezi High School. Taungana Ndoro, director of communications and advocacy, confirmed that a team of education officials and law enforcement will be dispatched to Wanezi High School to investigate the allegations.
“This is a very grave matter that demands our immediate and thorough investigation. They will conduct a comprehensive investigation to verify the facts, identify any individuals involved, and take the necessary disciplinary and legal actions. Drug peddling on school grounds is completely unacceptable and a direct violation of our policies and the law.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to such activities as they pose a serious threat to the physical, mental and moral development of our pupils. If these allegations are confirmed, we will provide counselling and rehabilitation support to any affected pupils,” he said
He said the ministry will work hand-in-hand with the school administration and community leaders to strengthen security measures, enhance drug education programmes, and foster a safe and nurturing environment for all pupils at Wanezi High School.–@TeamKarubwa
Online Reporter