Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
A TOTAL of 27 drug dealers, aged between 20 and 55 years and mostly involved in selling dangerous drugs and mbanje, have been convicted and jailed for various sentences countrywide.
In 2023, the Government availed $500 million under the Drug and Substance Abuse Mitigation Fund as part of efforts by the Second Republic to speed up high-impact activities in the fight against the drug menace.
President Mnangagwa set up an Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse as part of his administration’s efforts to arrest the scourge, which remains a great threat to the attainment of Vision 2030.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said there was no going back in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“Reference is made to the Zimbabwe Republic Police press statement in which 55 drug peddlers were named and shamed. The police release another 27 names of drug peddlers who were arraigned before courts and sentenced to varying prison terms,” he said.
They are Reality Sibanda (33) of Magwegwe, who was jailed 20 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Ayanda Ndiweni (34) of Pumula South, Bulawayo, jailed 15 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Divine Zulu (20) of Mpopoma, Bulawayo, who was jailed 14 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Samuel Tamboonei (37) of Dillon Road, Paddonhurst, Bulawayo, jailed 30 months for unlawful possession of unregistered medicines; Namukwa Kudzanani (37) of Mahatshula, Bulawayo, jailed 12 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Precious Moyo (33) of Emakhayeni, Fort Rixon, jailed 24 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Valentine Bhebhe (35) of Matole Homestead, Lower Gweru, who was jailed five years for unlawful possession of dagga; Lucias Moyo (55) of Randeni Road, Bulawayo, who was jailed nine years for dealing in dangerous drugs; while Theophilus Sithole (42) of Nkulumane 5, Bulawayo, was jailed 12 months for dealing in dangerous drugs.
Others are Mlungisi Dube (30) of Likani Dube’s Homestead, Plumtree, who was jailed 18 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Melinkosi Moyo (26) of Mathendele, Plumtree, who was jailed 24 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Simelinkosi Sibanda (40) of Skhulu Village, Plumtree, and Thaboluhle Mpofu (27) of Skhulu Village, Zimnyama, Plumtree, who were each jailed 36 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Ntando Ndlovu (49) of Jama Village, Plumtree, who was jailed 36 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Jitani Moyo (43) of Qume, Masendu Central, Madlambuzi, who was also jailed 36 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Forget Sibanda (25) of Karamantshi Village, Silobela, and Mongameli Tshaka (21) of Pumula South, Bulawayo, who were each jailed 12 months for smoking dagga. Valentine Moyo (21) of Siyephi Village, Sikhathini, Plumtree, was convicted and sentenced to 12 months in prison for unlawful possession of a stub of dagga, while Rosemary Revai Mafaiti (32) of Hill Compound, Mazowe, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for unlawful possession of dagga.
Innocent Chiurira (31) of Chiwaridzo Phase 2, Bindura, was jailed 12 months for unlawful possession of dangerous drugs; Ester Phiri (36) of Overspill, Epworth, Harare, was jailed 24 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Nigel Mukozho (25) of Budiriro was jailed 12 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Nigel Jim (25) of Clusters, Bindura, was jailed 15 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Noleen Nyathi (39) of Old Lobengula, Bulawayo, was jailed 12 months for unlawful possession of dagga; Abel Guni (20) of Emganwini, Bulawayo, was jailed 12 months for smoking dagga; Gideon Maregedze (32) of Mpopoma, Bulawayo, was jailed 24 months for unlawful possession of dangerous drugs; Joseph Masina (45) of Sizinda, Bulawayo, was jailed 12 months for unlawful possession of dagga; while Calistus Mlalazi (38) of Yeatman Road, Northend, Bulawayo, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for unlawful possession of dagga.
Commissioner Nyathi said: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against drug and substance abuse. The public should continue to supply information on drug peddling to the police through the National Complaints Desk number, (0242) 703631, or WhatsApp on 0712 800197.”
