The ManicaPost
Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has vowed to work tirelessly to weed out drug peddlers and abusers as the country intensifies the anti-drugs campaign.
Speaking during a structured security provider’s engagement facilitated by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP Mutare) held at Catholic Centre in Mutare on Wednesday, ZRP Crime Prevention Officer for Manicaland, Superintendent Bruce Ndodana Dlodlo told drug peddlers across the province that the police are out in full force to weed them out.
“Even though I am fairly new in Manicaland, I am surprised that there are still known drug peddling spots in the province. As the police, we are doing so much to end drug abuse.
“We have to deal with the houses and spots where drug peddling is going on openly. Kuchamhanyiwa manje manje (There will soon be more running battles with the police),” said Superintendent Dlodlo.
Superintendent Dlodlo was responding to concerns raised during the church and security agents’ engagement meeting that was aimed at enhancing peace in communities.
Reverend Peter Bore said: “We are witnessing shocking substance and drug abuse in our communities. This has fuelled acts of violence and poverty.
“Behind Meikles Park, right in the CBD, drugs are being openly sold there. At times we see people smoking dagga in broad daylight.”
CCJP focal person for Makoni District, Mr Simon Kadura said: “In Makoni, we now have people growing dagga in their gardens. This is happening in remote areas and in the periphery of Rusape town. We should have security details patrolling these areas.”
Superintendent Dlodlo responded: “The issue of fighting drugs needs everyone’s support. Parliamentarians and technical experts also need to come to the party and make sure that we have the right laws to curtail drug abuse.
“Recently, we had a court case that exposed the fact that crystal meth (mutoriro) is not outlawed in the country’s statutes. This affects the fight against drug abuse and peddling because offenders will walk scot free from the courts.”
Speaker after speaker during the lively engagement, especially the clergymen, noted the wanton abuse of drugs in public spaces as a major cause for concern.
Local Ecumenical Fellowship coordinator, Reverend Abel Waziweyi said: “Perhaps we have been concentrating more on the gospel of going to Heaven and forgetting the need for direct teachings and crusades on day-to-day issues affecting communities, including drug abuse.”
The host, CCJP Mutare Diocese coordinator, Mr Elliot Vengesa said: “Such engagements help us find lasting solutions to the challenges facing our communities. It should never be about pointing fingers, but constructive criticism and sharing of ideas.
“Surely, drugs have become a menace to our society. We can never have peace in our communities as long as drug and substance abuse continues at this level.”
Known drug peddling hot spots in Mutare include Meikles Park area in the Central Business District, the Greenside Terminus, a house in Palmerstone near Mutare Polytechnic and World Bank Street in Chikanga suburb.
These hot spots close shop during periodic police operations and get back to business soon after.
In Rusape, Vengere NE Park is a haven for drug and substance peddling and abuse as well as unlicenced liquor outlets; while a house in the BC section of Vengere suburb as well as Vengere Bus Terminus are known hot spot for drug peddling.
In Chimanimani, drug and substance abuse is prevalent in areas like Nhedziwa, Ngangu Township, Kopa, Nyanyadzi and Chakohwa.
In Chipinge, just like in most urban settings of Manicaland Province, intoxicants such as dagga and skunk are being abused even in public spaces, mainly alcohol outlets’ backyards.
Authorities believe the proximity of most parts of Manicaland to the border with Mozambique has amplified the province’s access to drugs and intoxicating substances.
