Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
ZANU PF national chairman and Defence Minister, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, has called for intensified efforts to combat drug and substance abuse, saying it is undermining young people.
Speaking yesterday at the ZANU PF National Chairman’s Mutasa District Kickout Drug and Substance Abuse Sports Tournament, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the event was intended to promote sports and mobilise against drug abuse.
“We have gathered here not to just play soccer and netball, but to declare total war on an enemy that is eating our children alive,” she said, describing drug abuse as a “silent genocide.”
She said people aged 16 to 35 are abusing substances including crystal meth, mutoriro, dombo, guka, cannabis, codeine, Broncleer and illicit brews such as musombodhiya, linking the vice to school dropouts, gender-based violence, road accidents, theft and loss of productive life.
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 were arrested for drug and substance abuse between January and September 2026, including 303 from Manicaland Province.
Of those, 7 216 were younger than 36 and 1 732 were women. She added that 5 685 arrests resulted in convictions.
She said the Government had committed to establishing 700-bed rehabilitation centers in each province, modeled on the Angel of Hope Foundation Mbare Rehabilitation Centre, which was opened by First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa last year at Stodart Arena, with a carrying capacity of 200 patients per intake and is on its eighth intake.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the rehab centres will provide vocational training and business development skills, so that people struggling with addiction are treated and empowered.
On legislation, she said the Government gazetted the National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill, 12 of 2025, which would establish an agency with enforcement and social services wings. The Bill provides for mandatory drug testing at workplaces, colleges and schools.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri urged coaches and teachers to keep children engaged in sport and called on parents not to hide children affected by drug abuse or protect dealers.
The soccer and netball tournament will be played annual, and yesterday winners walked away with US$2000, trophy, medals and uniforms.
Second, third and fourth finalists walked away with US$1500, US$1000, and US$500, respectively.
