Police name 55 drug dealers, suppliers

Freeman Razemba

Senior Reporter

POLICE have named 55 drug dealers and suppliers who have so far received sentences ranging from four to 51 months after they were arrested in an ongoing operation against illicit substances countrywide.

The dealers appeared in court in separate incidents where they were jailed for unlawful possession of dangerous drugs such as mbanje, crystal meth, commonly known as mutoriro, and unregistered medicines.

In 2023, the Government availed funds under the drug and substance abuse mitigation efforts to speed up high-impact activities in the fight against the menace.

President Mnangagwa set up an inter-ministerial taskforce on drug and substance abuse as part of his administration’s drive to end the scourge, which remains a great threat to the attainment of Vision 2030.

In a statement, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police will not hesitate to name and shame drug barons and suppliers in any part of the country. The public is urged to continue supplying information to the police through the National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197.”

Those jailed are Kudakwashe Mutizwa (37) of Overspill, Epworth who was sentenced to 18 months for unlawful possession of crystal meth; Tanaka Mazara (27), a male adult of Old Highfield, jailed 16 months for crystal meth, Kudakwashe Chingani (28) of Mbare, jailed to four years for unlawful possession of mbanje; Makanyara Sibanda (45) of Budiriro, Harare jailed four years for unlawful possession of mbanje; Pride Mudyanadzo (36) of Glenview, 12 months for unlawful possession of crystal meth; Godfrey Kasipo (42) of Chishawasha Hills, (18 months for broncleer cough syrup; Tafadzwa Saruchera (41) of Chitungwiza.

Natasha Chihwowa (24) of Hopley Farm, jailed three months for unlawful possession of mbanje; Mavis Mateya (23) of Chinamano Extension, Epworth (12 months); Emmanuel Chirimuta (25) of Matapi Flats, Mbare (12 months); Sydney Chingarande (30) of Overspill, Epworth (three months), Gwinyai Nyandoro (36) of Matapi Flats, Mbare (15 months); Blessing Kamuzunga (21) of Stoneridge Park (nine months); Terrence Rongai (24) of Marondera (15 months); Kila Busili Mamudu (62) of Marimba Park (three years), while Edmond Mara (52) of Glen Norah A and Sharon Sidhuma, (30) of Glen Norah A, Harare were each sentenced to 20 months in prison for unlawful possession of broncleer cough syrup and astra pain cough syrup.

Gilbert Matimwa (35) of Unit M, Seke, (36 months); Nqobizita Moyo (31), of Bulawayo (20 months); Kudakwashe Jowa (32), of Mufakose (12 months); Nigel Mubaiwa (25) of Glen Norah A (12 months); Shirirai Mugari (42) of Harare (12 months); Tinashe Madeke (30) of Concession (18 months); Prudence Kudakwashe (33) of Kalimachafi Farm, Banket (12 months); Lovemore Gauti (65) of Westernridge Farm, Banket (12 months); Noleen Nyathi (39) of Old Lobengula, Bulawayo (12 months), Moyo Prince (37) of Pumula East, Bulawayo (12 months); Clemence Mathe (24) of Makokoba (12 months); Tafadzwa Kwashiri of Sizinda, Bulawayo (12 months), Keitumetse Ncube (27) of Pumula East, Bulawayo (12 months) and Kwenzakele Dube (34) of Pumula East, was also jailed 12 months for unlawful possession of mbanje.

Others are Kupakwashe Mutemeri (23) of Cowdray Park, Bulawayo (12 months); Alex Tapera (25) of Makokoba, Bulawayo (12 months), Khayalethu Ntutha (29) of New Magwegwe, Bulawayo (18 months), Lynne Makomeke (24) of Plot Number 2, Woodvile, Bulawayo (18 months); Khumbulani Nyirongo (32) (24 months); Timothy Takavingwa (23) (six months); Talent Shato (28) of Makokoba, Bulawayo (12 months); Tonderai Chigumira (41) of Fusire Flats, Bulawayo (12 months); Delight Mapfumo (23) of Douglasdale, Bulawayo (12 months); Wilson Karase (40) of Binga (12 months); Nobhukosi Dzamunetsa (29) of Bulawayo (12 months); Sikhuliwe Daka (30) of Bulawayo (12 months) while Brian Siziba (31) of Bulawayo was jailed 51 months for unlawful possession of mbanje and crystal meth.

The other drug dealers are Sinqobile Ngwenya (32) of Payentepe Village, Guyu (12 months); Solomon Moyo (22) of Marupi Village, Gwanda (four months); Pinky Ncube (30) of Killerney Business Centre, Filabusi (12 months); Modreck Ruhonde (30) of Pumula North, Bulawayo (five months); Siwinile Zondo (47) of Nyezi Village, Filabusi (12 months); Dadirai Chibi (45) of Bhuka Village, Hwedza (24 months); Gladys Jokonya (23), Hwedza (12 months), Wadzanayi Zinyama (40) of Hwedza (24 months); Tatenda Kazembe (24) of Samaneka Village, Hwedza (24 months); Munyaradzi Simari (45) of Rujeko, Marondera (12 months)and Munyaradzi Chinyani (41) of Chivhu, was jailed 16 months for unlawful possession of mbanje.