Crimes and Courts Correspondent
The Midlands Province has launched a crackdown on crime and substance abuse, focusing on hotspot areas such as Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Gweru Rural, Gokwe, Kwekwe, and Gweru Urban.
According to the Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister, Owen Ncube,
“…the province’s Supply Reduction Pillar has identified 44 drug and substance abuse hotspots during the period from January to September 2024.”
This initiative has resulted in “over 587 arrests,” demonstrating the government’s unwavering stance against drug trafficking.
Under the Harm Reduction, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Pillar, “701 drug victims have been admitted for treatment at provincial and district health facilities across the province.” Of these, “395 have been discharged and referred to reintegration centers,” including Queen of Peace, Ngomahuru, and Ingutsheni.
Shurugwi Police Station alone has reported an average of “115 cases of drugs and substance abuse-related crimes each month,” which include assaults, murders, domestic violence, rape, and violent crimes involving the use of machetes.
Ncube made these remarks during a drug and substance abuse campaign organized by the ZRP in Shurugwi district on Thursday. He stated that the ongoing campaign is in line with the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024-2030, which has established an inter-ministerial committee to address various aspects, including supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation, community reintegration, and psychosocial support.
“This initiative is in line with our collective desire, resolve, and shared commitment to address social challenges arising from the breakdown of our norms and values of ubuntu, attributed to migration, globalization, and pursuit of lifestyles beyond our reach through immoral and criminal activities,” Ncube said.
The provincial government has also urged local councils to emulate the City of Kwekwe, which has established a drug and substance abuse rehabilitation center at Amaveni. Ncube emphasized that “the violence and substance abuse tarnish the image of the province and undermine efforts to attract tourism, trade, and investment,” especially as the province is mandated to modernize, industrialize, and grow its GDP under the Devolution and Decentralization Agenda.
According to drug and substance abuse experts, substances such as mbanje, ganja cake, crystal meth, mutoriro, glue, tumbwa, sex-enhancing pills, and skin-lightening creams are widely abused in Zimbabwe. Reports indicate that the effects of these drugs lead to “carelessness, unsafe sexual activities, unwanted pregnancies, premature deaths, reduced productivity, family neglect, and increased workplace conflicts.” These substances significantly impact both the mental and physical health of those affected.
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