Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
MASHONALAND East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo has warned those dealing in illicit drugs and substances in the province to immediately repent from their illegal habits or prepare to face the full wrath of the law.
Adve Ndudzo made the remarks during the commissioning of Rural Electrification Fund (REF) projects in Chikomba district recently.
While giving his remarks on the sterling work done by REF in bringing electricity even to the hard-to-reach areas, Adv Ndudzo took a moment to strongly condemn those dealing in illicit drugs and substances in the province, adding that his office will do
everything in its power to make Mashonaland East a drug and substance-abuse-free province.
“Zimbabwe is facing a serious threat to humanity, and if not immediately stopped, a generation will be wiped out,” he said.
“The scourge of drug and substance abuse is causing catastrophic. Chikomba district is not spared, our youth and most men are abusing these illicit substances like tumbwa, mbanje and many others.
“It is so sad that our youth are subjecting themselves to these illegal activities. Let me say this without fear or favour, here in Mashonaland East province, we do not tolerate drug and substance abuse at all, never.
“We are not going to continue holding conferences to discuss drug and substance abuse in Mashonaland East, but people will be arrested. If peddlers of illicit drugs and substances are not being brought to book and police pay a blind eye or a deaf ear, we will make
sure those officers are transferred from this province. We want the police to arrest everyone who is involved in prohibited drugs and substances.”
He added: “Let me continue saying this, even if it annoys and disappoints some other people here, Mashonaland East must be a drug and substance abuse free province, we will not accept anyone, even if you are a politician, even a Chief, if you are allowing drug
and substance abuse to prevail, we will not hesitate to expose you and ensure that the long arm of the law is applied on you.
“Let me again say, even if you are a Government official with a high position, here in Mashonaland East, we will never tolerate or hesitate to expose you. We will not even consider your political or social status when it comes to illicit drug and substance issues.
People who are into this should be arrested without fear or favour, and we must clean Mashonaland East of these illicit drugs and substances until the province is free of such.”
He said there was a time when some people warned him about his uncompromising stance against drug and substance abuse, but added that he will not be deterred from his position.
“Someone advised me not to be too vocal when it comes to the fight against drug and substance abuse, saying this might cost me my job in Government. I told the person that I am not afraid of that, but before I lose my job, I will work around the clock to ensure
that Mashonaland East is a drug and substance-abuse-free province.”
Mashonaland East Province has taken a proactive stance in the battle against drug and substance abuse by launching a fundraising initiative to combat the growing menace.
The province, which has not been spared in the drug and substance abuse scourge, recently held a fundraising campaign in Marondera with a target to raise US$250 000 and surpassed the target, raising over US$400 000.
