Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
THE recent arrest of 46 suspects during a raid on an illegal brewery in Harare’s Southerton Industrial Area has brought into sharp focus the growing dangers posed by illicit alcohol production, raising critical concerns about public health, governance, consumer protection and the future of Zimbabwe’s youth.
What authorities uncovered during the operation was alarming: large ethanol storage tanks, bottling equipment and significant quantities of finished alcoholic products ready for distribution to unsuspecting consumers.
Beyond the arrests, the raid exposed a troubling reality — unsafe and unregulated substances are finding their way into communities, threatening lives while undermining national development efforts.
The incident highlights how illicit alcohol production extends far beyond criminality. It poses serious risks to public health, deprives the State of revenue, fuels social problems and weakens progress towards the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
Zimbabwe Republic Police national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the operation formed part of broader efforts to protect citizens from harmful products and criminal activities.
He warned that the ethanol used in the manufacturing process had not been approved for human consumption and that production was taking place under unhygienic and unsafe conditions.
“We cannot allow locals and foreigners to take advantage of Zimbabweans by manufacturing illicit brews and substances,” he said.
“The environment here is filthy, unsafe and the ethanol used has not been approved by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.”
The crackdown demonstrates the Government’s commitment to safeguarding public health and enforcing the law. However, it also raises questions about how such a large-scale operation was able to function undetected for an extended period.
Those concerns point to broader governance issues, including regulatory oversight, business compliance and institutional accountability.
Zanu PF Southerton shadow legislator and businessman Cde Andrew Makahamadze expressed concern over the scale of the operation, reportedly involving investments running into millions of dollars.
While acknowledging Zimbabwe’s open-door investment policy, he stressed that all businesses must operate within the law and prioritise consumer safety.
“We cannot have people investing monies of such magnitudes and yet authorities remain unaware of such operations.
“Were these businesses paying taxes to ZIMRA? Were they complying with NSSA requirements?
“The Consumer Protection Commission and all relevant stakeholders must investigate thoroughly.”
His remarks underscore the broader economic implications of illicit enterprises. Beyond health risks, illegal operations deprive the Government of tax revenue, create unfair competition for legitimate businesses and often expose workers to unsafe conditions.
The consequences, however, are not merely economic.
Mental health and social development experts warn that cheap, easily accessible illicit alcohol is increasingly affecting young people and vulnerable communities.
Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative Zimbabwe country director Mrs Sibusisiwe Marunda described the proliferation of illicit alcohol as a serious threat to national development and social stability.
She said the availability of cheap alcohol contributes to school dropouts, poor academic performance, gender-based violence and child exploitation.
“The more our children and young people have access to illicit alcohol, the less likely we are to see good academic performance, positive life choices and productive citizenship,” she said.
“Alcohol abuse has also been linked to gender-based violence, sexual abuse of children and the exploitation of young girls. Communities must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to these harmful substances.”
The challenge is compounded by economic realities facing many households.
A wholesaler operating in Glen Norah B, who requested anonymity, admitted that low prices often make illicit alcohol attractive to both retailers and consumers.
“These products are extremely cheap and sometimes arrive with labels and packaging that appear legitimate,” he said.
“Many retailers do not verify their safety because the profit margins are attractive. Some products sell for as little as 40 cents or less than a dollar, making them easy to move.”
His admission reveals how deceptive branding and affordability allow dangerous products to infiltrate the retail market, often without consumers realising the risks involved.
For many struggling Zimbabweans, the attraction lies not only in affordability but also in the temporary escape these products appear to offer.
One consumer, identified only as Gary Chinomwa, said economic hardships drive many people towards illicit brews despite their known dangers.
“We drink it because it is cheap and many unemployed people can afford it. Some use it to escape the realities of poverty,” he said.
“But the effects are severe. You wake up feeling sick, with stomach problems, headaches and sometimes fever. The alcohol content is often much stronger than what is indicated on the label.”
His testimony paints a sobering picture of the human cost behind the illicit alcohol trade.
What may begin as a cheap alternative quickly becomes a public health crisis, affecting individuals, families and communities.
The Southerton raid serves as a stark reminder that combating illicit alcohol requires more than law enforcement. It demands stronger regulatory oversight, consumer education, community vigilance and coordinated action among Government agencies, businesses and civil society.
As Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to tackle drug and substance abuse, the Southerton case highlights the urgent need to close regulatory loopholes, protect vulnerable consumers and ensure that economic hardships do not become fertile ground for criminal enterprises that profit at the expense of public health and national development.
