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Laurel Murangaridzirayi,[email protected]
THE tranquil neighbourhood of Trenance in Bulawayo witnessed a devastating incident that left residents in shock. In the early hours of yesterday, a well-known drinker from the suburb succumbed to the merciless grasp of the harsh cold weather or, as some residents think, too much alcohol intake.
The lifeless figure was found lying on the ground.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.
The man, known for his frequent visits to the local bottle stores, allegedly purchased two 750ml bottles of spirit at Moyo Shopping Centre before continuing his journey to another establishment.
It’s a scene all too familiar in this area, where alcohol abuse has claimed three lives in recent times, all victims discovered lying helplessly on the ground.
One of the locals, Patson Khumalo, expressed his dismay, stating that the deceased had travelled a considerable distance, given the amount of alcohol he had consumed.
“He travelled a long distance from Moyo shops up to where we found him lying dead, it’s a distance of about three to four kilometres. With the amount of alcohol he consumed, he felt he had reached home and slept outside, where the weather conditions are not favourable at all,” he shared, shaking his head in disbelief.
Khumalo pointed out a concerning trend — the consumption of undiluted illicit brews, which can prove fatal.
“The problem with most of these victims is that they drink these substances without diluting them, and of which it’s excess to the body, considering the number of percentages they have. So automatically, you lose your senses and start to act in unusual manners like we have experienced,” he said, urging for more awareness about the dangers of such practices.
Another resident, Wellington Ndlovu, expressed worry over the abundance of sellers in the streets, enabling this tragic cycle.
“This case is the third in our area, and all the victims have proved that they had consumed excess alcohol without dilution. It is surely a cause for concern,” he said, expressing hope for measures to curb the illicit trade.
The aftermath of alcohol abuse has far-reaching consequences, leaving families stranded, especially when the father is the breadwinner.
“The families of the deceased are left stranded as they usually look upon the fathers, and because of alcohol, they are left struggling as the breadwinner would have departed. It’s heartbreaking for the communities,” Ndlovu explained, his voice filled with emotion.
In the face of such sorrow, Phathisani Ncube, a resident, pleaded with law enforcement agencies to take action against those operating without licences.
“We urge the police and other enforcers to go out and arrest the perpetrators who are pushing these illicit drugs. It would certainly reduce the number of people who are engaging in the abuse of alcohol,” he passionately implored.
Bongani Ndlovu