Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
ZANU PF national chairman, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, has described drug and substance abuse as a “silent genocide” devouring youths, and declared an all-out campaign bringing together the party, communities, churches and security agencies to confront the escalating crisis.
Speaking at the ZANU PF National Chairman “Kickout Drug and Substance Abuse” Sports Tournament in Mutasa last Saturday, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri, said authorities must eradicate the epidemic affecting young people aged 16 to 35 years, and the courts must jail those caught on the wrong side of the law.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also the Defence Minister, chairs the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2023 to tackle the rising scourge and spearhead the implementation of the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030).
“We have gathered here, not to just play soccer and netball, but to declare total war on an enemy that is eating our children alive,” she said, pointing to the widespread abuse of substances such as crystal meth (mutoriro, dombo, guka), cannabis, codeine, broncleer, and illicit brews like musombodhiya.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri linked the epidemic directly to rising school dropout rates, gender-based violence, road traffic accidents, theft and lost economic productivity.
On the severity of the crisis, she said, more than 60 percent of admissions at Ngomahuru, Ingutsheni, and Parirenyatwa Annex psychiatric institutions are drug-related.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said law enforcement operations have escalated sharply, with the police arresting 10 332 suspects nationwide for drug-related offences, including 303 in Manicaland.
Of these 7 216 were under the age of 36 and 1 732 were women. The arrests have yielded 5 685 convictions to date.
To combat the crisis, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri detailed comprehensive Government interventions spanning rehabilitation, legislation and community health care.
She said Government is committed to the constructing of 700-bed rehabilitation centres in every province, modelled after the Angel of Hope Foundation Mbare Rehabilitation Centre.
The planned centres will offer vocational training, sustainable skills development and business instruction, emphasising that individuals struggling with addiction should be empowered rather than discarded.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said Statutory Instrument 62 of 2025 banned kambwa and musombodhiya under the Harmful Liquids Act, adding that fines of US$30 were abolished under the National Drug and Substance Abuse framework, and offenders now face up to 15 years in prison.
She also announced the launch of Ward Health Kiosks, described as one-stop community health hubs at ward level, to provide health services and support drug-abuse interventions, including counselling and mental health services.
She said the partnerships will support the initiative and that the health kiosks will establish links with district hospitals and rehabilitation centres.
ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza, said after the Mutasa launch, they started off implementing the directive by visiting churches on Sunday.
Cde Mukodza said party representatives met youths and elders from some churches to discuss the dangers of drugs and illicit substances.
“It is so touching that even in churches, you have people that abuse drugs and still attend church services. As a party, we are engaging churches and other stakeholders, workers and local communities,” said Cde Mukodza, adding that in high-density suburbs like Sakubva, Vengere and Gaza, they will use different approaches targeted at youths, who mostly abuse drugs due to idleness.
Cde Mukodza said party structures – spanning cells, branches, and districts – will act as information networks to assist police in identifying smuggling routes, illegal drug bases, and licenced liquor outlets selling illicit brews under the counter.
“The community knows who does what. When we conscientise you, and you don’t repent, the police will swoop on you. Even though some in the security sector are involved, it will be a real war to stop this,” he said, adding that the directives will be enforced without exception.
Cde Mukodza emphasised that drug kingpins, smugglers and dealers face stern accountability.
“What leadership says goes! We are just implementing a directive from above. Even if it is myself involved in drugs, I will face the wrath of the law and disciplinary measures from the party. No one is above the party. No name-dropping! When the party gives direction, we always respect and follow the decisions,” said Cde Mukodza, adding that some victims are given these drugs as sweets, chocolates, cakes, and got addicted to that.
“The real problem is the one selling the drugs. Drug lords are wealthy, yes, and can bribe their way, but it is going to be difficult for them to commit an offence in the presence of a lot of witnesses. It is time up for them. They should pack and go. It is either they perish or repent,” he said.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri declared that the Mutasa District Kickout Drug and Substance Abuse Tournament will become an annual event, urging educators, sports coaches and parents to keep youths engaged and refrain from hiding affected children or protecting dealers.
