The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
ILLICIT brews popularly known as mukozodo have flooded the province as imbibers believe that the highly potent brews will give them immunity to Covid-19 infection, The Manica Post has established.
Although bottle-stores, beerhalls and night clubs are closed during the ongoing lockdown, prices of beer have been going up, thereby forcing beer lovers to resort to the illicit brews.
The potent home-made brews have a high ethanol content and a 300ml bottle is being sold for anything between $15 and $20.
Unfortunately, brewers are not even aware of the exact alcohol content in the illicit brews.
Some of the illegal brewers are said to be packing their brews in containers of well-known brands and selling them to unsuspecting customers through well-knit syndicates, thereby putting their health at risk.
Officer Commanding Chipinge District, Superintendent Trustworthy Makunike confirmed the mushrooming of illicit beer brewers in the district and said investigations are underway.
“Investigations are underway to find out the source of some of the ingredients and the bases where these brews are being brewed. We will be descending on these illegal activities and bring all the culprits to book. What is worrying is that even school going children are now consuming these illicit brews,” he said.
Police sources said cases of stock and crops thefts are increasing in areas like Sakuinje, Matikwa, Gumira, Muumbe and Konjana
near Checheche Growth Point.
“Last week, we recovered 35 beasts and most of the offenders have records of drug abuse, mainly of these illicit brews.
“We have also discovered that some villagers are lying to each other that drinking these illicit brews will result in them being immune to Covid-19 infection. We want to discourage people, especially youths, from abusing drugs and alcohol,” said a police officer who preferred anonymity.
Last week, The Manica Post visited Checheche Growth Point and witnessed as a number of backyard breweries went about their business.
Checheche is home to many backyard breweries of the mukozodo brews, probably due to its proximity to Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant, where the ethanol is reportedly being smuggled by some unscrupulous employees.
Green Fuel community relation officer Mrs Merit Rumema refused to comment on the issue.
But one of the mukozodo brewers who identified himself as Sam Taimu said he is enjoying brisk business from selling the illicit brews across the whole country. He said they sometimes fail to meet demand of the product as their market is countrywide.
“We are making a killing from selling these illicit brews. Our products are now popular across the country and demand is increasing, especially during this lockdown period when most liquor selling outlets are closed,” he said.
Asked if the product is not hazardous to health, Taimu said, “Our product is not harmful to consumers because the major component of the beer is ethanol. It is like any other spirits being sold in supermarkets.
A reveller, Crispen Mashava, said he is resorting to mukozodo as it is a cheaper option.
“It is cheaper to buy these illicit brews compared to other products being sold in supermarkets. Worse still, those selling beer in their backyards and shebeens have doubled the prices. Therefore l have no option as l always want to be high,” he said.
A director of a development partner operating in Chipinge South, Platform for Youth Development, Mr Claris Madhuku said the flooding of illicit beer brews in the area has been linked to deviant behaviour among the youths.
“The highly intoxicating illicit brews are being linked with outlandish behaviour by some of the youths. Since the start of the lockdown on March 30, there has been an upsurge in criminal activities, especially stock theft, theft of crops and domestic violence, which can be linked to the consumption of these illicit brews,” said Mr Madhuku.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said the issue of illicit brews is a cause for concern, although no arrests have been made so far.
“We are hearing of such cases, but noone has come forward with tangible evidence for us to act and bring the culprits to book. We urge those with information on the syndicates and brewers to approach their nearest police station. We will take swift action,” he said.
Online sources indicate that consuming elicit brews can result in the disintergration of the family unit.
Other family members may end up having substantial mental health problems such as anxiety, fear and depression.
“Drinking can negatively affect how a person performs as a parent, as well as how they contribute to the smooth functioning of the household,” said Psychologist Skumbuzo Mangena.
“It can have lasting effects on their partner and children, for instance through home accidents and violence,” he said, adding that drinking alcohol that contains dangerous chemicals can cause nausea, abdominal pain, drowsiness and permanent kidney or liver damage.
