Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba [email protected]
Police in the Midlands Province have dismantled 78 drug bases and arrested 290 suspects in a sweeping crackdown under the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024–2030.
Addressing a press conference, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Cde Owen Ncube, said the province has made significant strides following the launch of the national plan by President Mnangagwa on June 26, 2024.
He said six provincial and district structures have since been established, focusing on key pillars that include supply and demand reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, psychosocial support, resource mobilisation as well as media and communication.
“To date, 54 drug bases have been dismantled in Kwekwe, six in Gweru Urban, 11 in Gweru Rural, three in Gokwe and four in Zvishavane, giving a total of 78 bases. A total of 290 suspects were arrested,”said Minister Ncube.
He said police also seized significant quantities of illegal substances, including 80kg of mbanje, 59 grammes of crystal meth and 25 cases of illicit alcoholic beverages.
Minister Ncube commended the security sector operating under the Joint Operations Command (JOC) for intensifying the fight against drug syndicates. Awareness campaigns have reached about 180 000 people across the province, with strong support from schools, churches and civic organisations.
Local authorities in hotspots such as Gweru, Zvishavane, Shurugwi and Kwekwe have also erected billboards to raise awareness.
“In line with the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind, we applaud schools, the church fraternity and civic leaders for supporting broad-based campaigns,” said Minister Ncube.
On rehabilitation efforts, Minister Ncube said facilities such as the Gweru Women Aids Prevention Association and Driefontein Hospital have been earmarked for development into rehabilitation centres, with Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) being finalised with key stakeholders that include the Angel of Hope Foundation, Roman Catholic Church, Ministry of Health and Child Care and the City of Gweru.
A total of 392 individuals have so far received counselling support across various centres, including Gweru Provincial Hospital, Queen of Peace, district social welfare offices and Amaveni Rehabilitation Centre.
Minister Ncube also commended the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for complementary interventions through the Angel of Hope Foundation.
“Midlands Province commends the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for her extensive complementary drug and substance abuse elimination interventions rolled out through the Angel of Hope Foundation,” said Minister Ncube.
He said the First Lady had also donated hospital consumables, wheelchairs, crutches and blankets to hospitals in the province, demonstrating her inclusive philanthropic work.
Minister Ncube said 1 000 beneficiaries from the foundation’s Mbare Drug Rehabilitation Centre have been enrolled at Dadaya Vocational Centre for skills training.
Going forward, the province will focus on strengthening surveillance systems, enhancing resource mobilisation and expanding awareness programmes to sustain the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“We will continue to provide regular updates as we pursue the attainment of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society bolstered by a productive and drug-free labour force,” Minister Ncube said.
