300+ convicted on drug related cases since January

Methamphetamine | Effects of Methamphetamine | FRANK

The National Prosecuting Authority has revealed that at least 600 people have appeared before the courts with 315 convicted for dealing in or possessing highly addictive narcotic crystal methamphetamine, also known as ‘mutoriro.’

Harare Province led the chat with 164 people charged with drug-related offences involving mutoriro and 27 were convicted.

Mashonaland Central Province came second with 103 people being arraigned, with twenty-three of them being charged with possession of or dealing in crystal methamphetamine.

Prosecutors in the province secured 64 convictions, while four people were acquitted.

In Bulawayo Province, 41 people were convicted of dealing in dangerous drugs out of the 69 individuals who were brought before the courts.

Only three cases remain at various stages.

Ten out of the 69 matters in Bulawayo involved mutoriro.

Statistics show that 68 cases involving crystal meth were heard in Manicaland courts, with 29 ending in convictions and 39 other cases at various stages.

Mashonaland East and Midlands provinces each recorded 43 matters, with 37 and 36 ending in convictions, respectively.

Mashonaland East did not record any cases involving mutoriro.

In Masvingo, 34 people were convicted, while six cases are outstanding.

There was only one case involving crystal meth in the province since January.

But the NPA prosecuted 28 cases involving mutoriro in Mashonaland West Province, resulting in seven people being found guilty.

Prosecutors also secured convictions of all 27 drug-related cases brought before the courts in Matabeleland North province, one of which involved mutoriro.

Matabeleland South Province had the lowest number of offences relating to drugs, at 20, all of which involved crystal meth.

Government recently unveiled a ZWL$500 million drug mitigation fund meant to aid in the fight against drug abuse.

Commenting on the fund at the recently held Youth Development Conference in Bulawayo, President Mnangagwa said the fund aims to accelerate high-impact activities to end drug abuse.

“It is my expectation that the ZWL$500 million provided by my government under the drug and substance abuse mitigation fund will accelerate high-impact activities and result in this fight to end drug abuse. These activities should reach every corner of Zimbabwe; no one or no place should be left behind.

“The need to mitigate the harm associated with substance abuse, as well as negative health and psycho-social facts through the provision of holistic treatment services for affected individuals and families, remains critical,” President Mnangagwa said.