POLICE in the province are encouraging members of society to supply them with
information about drug dealers and consumers in their areas.
Police spokesperson, Inspector Milton Mundembe, said there was a proliferation of the
consumption of drugs among youths and this was driving them into committing crimes such
as robbery, gang rape and murder among others.
“Obviously, the police can play a major role in reducing and to end the taking and peddling
of drugs in our societies, but we should all work together while avoiding drug abuse. While
arrests are being made, our police officers are redoubling efforts towards empowering society
through patrols and awareness campaigns nabbing and conscientising communities,
especially youths, who are engaging in drugs on the dangers of taking and peddling the
drugs,” he said.
If the drug and substance abuse statistics were indications of what was out there, there was
every reason for everyone to be concerned and to play a role in ending the abuse.
He said police would not tire in its public awareness campaigns to end the scourge and called
other stakeholders to come on board and help to end the problem.
Acting Provincial Education Director, Dr Themba Mangwiro, said as the Ministry of Primary
and Secondary Education, emphasis had been strengthened on guidance and counselling
lessons in schools.
“We would want them (children) to know about the dangers associated with the drugs from
social to mental.
“Drug abuse is now a disaster. There is now need of an all systems approach to tackle the
problem, everyone should be involved.
“It takes the whole village to raise a child, therefore parents should check their children’s
associations since some drugs are coming from the community. It’s now a thing that needs a
holistic approach,” he said.
According to Sister Yolanda Tapfumanei, the Provincial Mental Health Officer, in the
Ministry of Health and Child Care, there is need for a mental patients’ rehabilitation centre in
the province.
She said most mental cases being reported in the province were coming from Mt Darwin
District as indicated by statistics from hospitals.
Mt Darwin District hospital is currently serving most of these mental health patients, with the
majority of them associated with drugs and substance abuse.
According to some residents, they no longer have trust in police since every time they report
drug lords no action is taken.
“Communities know people, who sell drugs and parents who had their children destroyed by
drugs but, they are not seeing any help from the police after reporting these drug lords.
“They hardly go to court or sleep in police cells, even when arrested. Corruption is at play,” a
Chipadze resident told this publication.
The ZANU PF leadership in Bindura have since appealed to the Minister of State, Dr Monica
Mavhunga, who is also a politburo member and colleague MP Kenneth Musanhi to tell
President Emmerson Mnangagwa that drug peddlers should be incarcerated for not less than
10 years.
