dyton mupawaenda
Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter
AN 18-year-old teen and a 67-year-old man are among those named by police as drug peddlers, as Cabinet now pushes that drug suppliers should not be given an option of a fine but rather be brought to criminal courts for stiffer and deterrent penalties.
This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere during a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday.
He said Cabinet got and approved the report by the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse covering the period October 30 to November 23 2023, as presented by Defence Minister and chair of the National Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.
“The nation is informed that the National Committee continued to intensify the fight against the scourge of Drugs and Substance Abuse through its pillars, namely: the Supply Reduction; Demand Reduction; Harm Reduction, Treatment and Rehabilitation; Psycho-Social Support and Community Re-Integration; Media and Information pillars,” he said.
“Under the Supply Reduction Pillar, a total of 1 559 people, comprising 112 suppliers and 1 447 end-users, were arrested during the review period, representing an increase of 1 165 from the arrests last reported. A total of nine hotspot areas were identified, while nine bases were destroyed in Harare and Beitbridge, respectively, with $352 528 150 worth of drugs confiscated.
“A total of 30 drug suppliers were convicted, bringing the cumulative convictions since January 2023 to 809. Going forward, Cabinet agreed that all drug suppliers should not be given the option of a fine but go to court in order to ensure that stiffer penalties are meted.”
He said the Resource Mobilisation Pillar has scheduled meetings for high-level stakeholder engagements with churches, traditional leaders, the private sector and development partners to raise the required resources.
“The Media and Communication Pillar is extensively covering drug and substance abuse issues nation-wide to conscientise communities on the vice.
“The Legal and Policy Pillar has consulted key stakeholders in the fight against drug and substance abuse to gather inputs and come up with proposals on amendments of laws and policies governing drug and substance abuse programming. The Ministry of Health and Child Care is already working on principles for the amendment of the Dangerous Drugs Act [Chapter 15:02],” he said.
“Cabinet noted that the national drug and substance abuse response is on track and continues to be strengthened. It is a science-driven initiative based on multi-sectoral or whole-of-society approaches.”
Some of the drug peddlers who were either convicted or still have pending cases include Evans Dube (32) Leeroy Bruce Tungama (28), Gift Maunda (31), Tinashe Murenzvi (24), Nokhutaba Sibanda (31), Lindiwe Mhlanga (25), Onita Dube (31), David Dhidha (48), Raccbi Matekenya (35), Shylin Maredza (31), Anymore Chiseko (28), Tawanda Sibindi (18), Tinashe Nyakunzu (29), Zenzo Mhlanga (43), Simbarashe Mukucha (22), Hilary Motsi, Thembekile Zulu (24), Ronald Mhlanga (24), Honest Ndlovu (22), Linda Sibanda (32) and Salatine Dzangare (52).
Others are Mercy Muzulu ( 29), Hitler Tafadzwa Jungura (34), Ellen Munetsi (32), Christina Tsikwa (67) Bobby Kambangura (27), Tafadzwa Tambudzai (21), Pride Jeferry Machidza (31), Alabi Braima (32), Khulekani Moyo (33), Nomatter Muchemwa (25), Marry Muchemwa (37), Attomey Rudo (34), Bonface Mufundisi (26), Joseph Muleya(23), Nyaradzai Chipfuma, Kirt Ndlovu (24), Cleopas Moyo (21) and Collen Nyakarenga (35).
Responding to inquiries, Acting Minister of Health and Child Care, Professor Amon Murwira said Government will continue to involve all stakeholders in its fight against drug abuse scourge.
“Drug and substance use affect the brain. For society to move it needs the brain and once the brain is affected it becomes a problem,” said Prof Murwira who is Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister.
He said most mental challenges are caused by drug and subsistence use hence the need to curb the vice.
Meanwhile, Dr Muswere commended the good working relationship that had been created between the Government and the media in information dissemination during the post-Cabinet briefing.
He said this yesterday during a brief ceremony to mark the end of 2023 post-Cabinet briefing noting that the platform had helped in reflecting programmes and projects being spearheaded by the Government.
Online Reporter