Anti-drugs fight set to continue

Patience Muchemwa

The fight against the scourge of drugs is continuing with focus on supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, availing psycho-social support and community re-integration among interventions, the chairperson of the National Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said.

The minister disclosed this during a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, adding that 1 559 people, comprising 112 suppliers and 1 447 end-users, were arrested between October 30 to November 23 under the supply reduction pillar.

Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also Defence Minister, said the arrests represent an increase of 1 165 from the arrests last reported.

“A total of nine hotspot areas were identified and destroyed in Harare and Beitbridge.

“At least 30 drug suppliers were convicted and Cabinet agreed that all drug suppliers should not be given any fine option but to just go to court.

“The resource mobilisation pillar has scheduled meetings for high-level stakeholder engagements with churches, traditional leaders, and the private sector and development partners to raise the required resources,” she said.

Cabinet noted that the national drug and substance abuse response is on track and continues to be strengthened.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic police has released a list of 30 drug dealers in Harare.

Evans Dube, 32, Leeroy Bruce Tungama , 28, Gift Maunda, 31, Tinashe Murenzvi, 24, Nokhutaba Sibanda, 31, Lindiwe Mhlanga, 25, Onita Dube, 31, David Dhidha, 48, and Raccbi Matekenya, 35.

Also on the list are Shylin Maredza, 31, Anymore Chiseko, 28, Tawanda Sibindi, 18 and Tinashe Nyakunzu, 29 among others.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates through the National Committee of the Elimination of drugs and substance abuse, it will not hesitate to name and shame drug barons and suppliers in any part of the country,” police said in a statement.