Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
POLICE Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has warned officers who are abusing drugs while discharging their duties that the law will take its course.
The police chief said this while addressing Senior and junior officers during the Commissioner-General of Police 2026 Sports Gala in Harare.
Comm Gen Mutamba also warned drug dealers and peddlers that the police were on high alert to thwart such illegal activities.
“It has come to my attention that certain police officers are no longer performing their duties due to drug and substance abuse. Let them be warned that the law will certainly take its course,” he said.
Comm Gen Mutamba urged the officers to maintain discipline when discharging their duties.
In June, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Drug Day, with Commissioner-General Mutamba, reaffirming the country’s commitment to combating drug and substance abuse.
This year’s global commemorations were held under the theme: “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”
The annual event provided a platform for stakeholders to strengthen partnerships in preventing drug abuse, disrupting illicit drug trafficking networks and promoting rehabilitation, treatment and community-based interventions for those affected by substance abuse.
It specifically focused on the need to tackle synthetic drugs, sophisticated trafficking networks, and digital illicit markets through scientific evidence, compassion, and coordinated global action.
Drug and substance abuse among Zimbabwe’s young people has continued to increase countrywide despite efforts by both the Government and non-governmental organisations to curb the crisis.
President Mnangagwa launched the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, a comprehensive action plan that seeks to deal with the scourge of drug and substance abuse in the country.
The action plan is a multi-sectoral strategic plan that addresses challenges faced by individuals who use drugs and illicit substances as well as their families and communities.
The Government adopted the Zimbabwe national drug master plan and treatment and rehabilitation guidelines for alcohol and substance use disorders in 2021.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Abuse, chaired by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, was also established and has expanded the master plan into the Zimbabwe Multisectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan, which is working on the implementation of seven pillars that include supply reduction, demand reduction, treatment and rehabilitation and harm reduction, community reintegration, policy and legal enforcement, media and communication as well as resource mobilisation and economic strengthening.
