Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure-Mutare Bureau
National Chairperson of the Anti-Drugs and Substance Abuse Committee Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has called for intensified efforts to combat drug abuse, saying the scourge is undermining young people who are the future leaders of the country.
Speaking on Saturday at the Mutasa District Kick Out Drug and Substance Abuse Sports Tournament, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also the Zanu PF National Chairman and Minister of Defence, said the event was intended to promote sport and mobilise communities against drug abuse, urging them to support prevention efforts.
“We have gathered here not just to play football and netball, but to declare total war on an enemy that is destroying our children,” she said, describing drug and substance abuse as a “silent genocide”.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said young people aged between 16 and 35 were abusing substances including crystal meth, mutoriro, dombo, guka, cannabis, codeine, BronCleer and illicit brews such as musombodhiya. She linked drug abuse to school dropouts, gender-based violence, road traffic accidents, theft and the loss of productive lives.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said more than 60 percent of admissions at Ngomahuru, Ingutsheni and Parirenyatwa Annex psychiatric institutions are drug-related.
She said 10 332 people had been arrested for drug and substance abuse between January and September 17, 2026, including 303 from Manicaland Province. Of those arrested, 7 216 were below the age of 36, while 1 732 were women. She added that 5 685 arrests had resulted in convictions.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri outlined Government measures aimed at addressing drug and substance abuse. She said the Government had committed to establishing 700-bed rehabilitation centres in each province, modelled on the Angel of Hope Foundation Mbare Rehabilitation Centre.
The Mbare facility, which was opened by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa on July 15, 2025, at Stodart Arena, has a capacity of 200 patients per intake and is currently on its eighth intake.
The rehabilitation centres will provide vocational training, including sustainable livelihood skills and business development programmes.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri emphasised that people struggling with drug addiction should be treated and empowered rather than discarded. On legislation, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the Government gazetted the National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill, No. 12 of 2025, on October 10, 2025. The Bill seeks to establish an agency with enforcement and social services wings.
She said the Bill provides for mandatory drug testing at workplaces, colleges and schools, and that employers will be required to adopt anti-drug and substance abuse policies within 90 days.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said Statutory Instrument 62 of 2025 banned Kambwa and Musombodhiya under the Harmful Liquids Act. She added that fines of US$30 had been abolished under the National Drug and Substance Abuse Framework and that offenders could face prison sentences of up to 15 years.
She announced the launch of Ward Health Kiosks, described as one-stop community health hubs at ward level.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the kiosks would provide access to health services and support anti-drug interventions, including counselling and mental health services.
She said public-private partnerships would support the initiative and that the Mutasa Ward Health Kiosks would establish links with district hospitals and rehabilitation centres.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri urged coaches and teachers to keep children engaged in sport and called on parents and guardians not to conceal children affected by drug abuse or shield drug dealers.
She urged young people to avoid drugs and resist peer pressure, encouraging them to make their talents their “high”.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri announced that the Zanu PF National Chairperson’s Mutasa District Kick Out Drug and Substance Abuse Tournament would henceforth be held annually.
