Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested seven suspects linked to a syndicate allegedly dealing in unauthorised medicines, skin products, body enhancers and drugs with a combined street value of US$2 276.
Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu said the gang operated from the city centre and Nkulumane’s Sekusile Shopping Centre. The arrests followed raids conducted by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) drugs and narcotics unit.
“On September 3 at around 6PM, our CID drugs and narcotics conducted raids in the central business district and Sekusile Business Centre in Nkulumane 5. They arrested seven suspects identified as Simelinyinkosi Khanye (25) of Josiah Chinamano Street, Katazo Muguri (47) of Nkulumane 5, Sibonginkosi Maseko (35) of Nkulumane 5, Vanesa Mazhale (33) of Pumula South, Chipo Mpofu (33) of Nkulumane, Polite Felix Ndoro (24) of Sizinda and Stephen Rungano (40) of Nkulumane 5,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
She said the suspects were found with a variety of medicines and allied substances, including Carolite cream, Metronidazole tablets, Rashel face crème, Man Force tablets and Power White Extra whitening cream.
Two other suspects, Mthokozisi Mthethwa (47) of Nkulumane 5 and Yeomen Mukombe (32) of Matshobana, were separately arrested after being found with 4 grammes of dagga and 1kg of loose dagga, respectively.
Asst Insp Ndlovu warned the public against buying or selling uncertified medicines and drugs.
“It is a chargeable offence under the country’s laws. The community is encouraged to turn its back on drugs as they destroy health and the future,” she said.
Zimbabwe has been battling the proliferation of illegal medicines and unregulated skin-lightening products, which are often smuggled into the country and sold on the streets without medical approval. The Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act prohibits the sale of such substances without certification, as some of the products contain harmful chemicals that can cause organ damage, drug resistance, or life-threatening side effects.
Police have in recent years intensified operations against drug peddling and substance abuse, particularly in Bulawayo, where drugs such as crystal meth, marijuana, and unregistered aphrodisiacs have flooded high-density suburbs. Authorities have linked the drug scourge to a rise in violent crime, school dropouts and mental health problems, prompting calls for tougher penalties and community awareness campaigns.
