Minister takes fight to combat drug, substance to districts

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

Matabeleland South Province has started rolling out its drug and substance resource mobilisation initiative, which seeks to raise US$280 000 that will be used towards combating the scourge from district level.

The money will be used for initiatives such as the establishment of rehabilitation centres, recreational facilities and awareness campaigns among others.

The province has identified a site to house a major drug rehabilitation facility in Gwanda which needs to be customised to fit the purpose.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Albert Nguluvhe launched the initiative in Beitbridge district yesterday where scores of community members attended including congregants from various denominations.

The launch coincided with celebrations held by the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) in honour of the appointment of Cde Nguluve as the Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister.

In his remarks, Minister Nguluvhe said the provinces have also been tasked with coming up with strategies, including raising funds towards the fight against drug and substance abuse, in a bid to tackle the growing scourge that has devastated communities across the country.

“We are now busy cascading the concept to all the seven districts in our province and the long-term plan is to get to the grassroots level,” said Minister Nguluvhe.

This follows the national call to action by President Mnangagwa, who on July 11, 2025 launched the National Drug and Substance Response Resource Mobilisation Programme in Harare.

“Beitbridge district has been tasked to mobilise resources for combating the scourge of drug and substance abuse that is bedevilling our Province.

“The health and well-being of our citizens, particularly the youth, is not only vital for our ongoing national development agenda, but also guarantees the transformational growth, socio-economic stability and strength for the sustainability of our nation,” said Minister Nguluvhe

He said the growing public health concern, social ill and security threat was not unique to Matabeleland South but was a challenge to the whole country and the world at large.

“In our case, the negative impacts of this menace continue to affect families, communities and institutions resulting in gender based violence, school dropouts, suicides, road traffic accidents as well as many other sociological and psychological conditions. As a district, Beitbridge is more affected due to our proximity to the border,” said Cde Nguluvhe.

He said in view of this a Provincial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse had been set up and it will be cascaded to the districts with a clear direction on adopting a whole of Government and society approach to deal with the problem.

Minister Nguluvhe said the province continues to intensify efforts towards the fight against drug and substance abuse.

He said surveillance activities by stakeholders working with the provincial committee and district committees have seen peddlers and dealers being apprehended and prosecuted.

Cde Nguluvhe said more should be done to bring culprits to justice, expose and shame cartels involved in drug peddling.

“Leveraging on the recently gazetted Statutory Instrument, I expect our law enforcement agencies to net more perpetrators for possession, trading and consumption of dangerous substances,” Minister Nguluvhe said.

He said the emerging illicit brews such as intshengu and musombodhiya are prohibited by law while crystal meth (mutoriro or nyaope) is now properly placed under the Dangerous Drug Act.

“Ministries, departments, Agencies, Development partners, traditional leaders, farmers, miners, religious bodies and the business community working hand-in-hand, must ensure high impact results from the numerous anti-drug and substance abuse awareness campaigns being conducted.

“This is not a “feel good exercise”, it is a fight for the soul and future of our nation,” said Cde Nguluvhe.

He emphasised that the information, education and communication platforms established to date must carry anti-drug messaging which is relatable to those affected, and motive behavioural change.

Cde Nguluvhe said the treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of drug and substance abuse survivors is critically important.

He said training and rehabilitation support centres should be based at the grassroots level.
Local authorities, Cde Nguluvhe said, will be directed to avail the requisite infrastructure for re-purposing into treatment and rehabilitation centres.

To augment these public sector-driven efforts, he said, the registration of private rehabilitation centres should be facilitated.

“I am challenging our people, individuals and corporates to give life and hope to survivors of drug and substance abuse by supporting the drug and substance abuse mitigation measures and capacitation of the 67 identified rehabilitation centres. Please give generously in cash or kind, towards this worthy cause”, he said.

Cde Mguluvhe said some stakeholders had already pledged resources while others have donated towards the mitigation of drug and substance abuse.

“We continue appealing to other stakeholders to come on board. This is consistent with the spirit of our development philosophy, Nyika inovakwa, igotongwa, igonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,” added Minister Nguluvhe.

ACCZ president, Bishop Edgar Maireva pledged the religious leaders’ support to the resource mobilisation programme saying the issue of drug and substance abuse had no boundaries.

He said drug and substance abuse remains one of the most urgent and escalating public health challenges facing community members.