The ManicaPost
■ Drug abuse, child marriages negate national development
■ Peddlers to face the music
Ray Bande in CHECHECHE
GOVERNMENT is now at an advanced stage in crafting legislation that will impose stiffer penalties on those peddling drugs and other harmful substances, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
Addressing thousands of people who attended the National Fitness and Wellness Festival held at Checheche High School in Chipinge South yesterday, Vice President Chiwenga said the focus is on cutting the supply chain of harmful drugs and substances.
The three-day festival which will end today (Friday) is running under the theme ‘Curbing drugs and substance abuse through wellness’.
Said VP Chiwenga: “We are saying this thing of drug abuse must now come to an end. We now have a curse, a demon of drug and substance abuse, as well as child marriages. These issues draw us back and negate national development. This demon needs to be exorcised.
“Let me strongly warn those involved in drug abuse and peddling harmful substances to stop doing that forthwith. We have graves of people who died prematurely because of drug and substance abuse.
“We are in the process of crafting legislation that will ensure that perpetrators of drugs and substance abuse are handed heavy sentences. We recently had one person who was involved in human trafficking and was sentenced to 70 years in jail.
“We want to go the same route with drugs. Drugs are killing our children. The overwhelming effect of substance and drug abuse on individuals, families and communities demand effective mechanisms of deterrence. Efforts must be made for total eradication of it all,” said the Vice President.
Government is determined to eradicate drugs on the country’s streets, said Vice President Chiwenga.
Vice President Chiwenga said the recent disqualification of a Zanu PF candidate from representing the ruling party in Chipinge South Constituency in the upcoming harmonised elections owing to his involvement in drug peddling is ample evidence of Government’s zero tolerance to drug and substance abuse.
“Government cannot do this alone. It starts at family level. That culture of letting children do as they please has taken us to this point. The father, mother, uncles and siblings must all be involved in raising the children.
“Parents should know that children need to be disciplined when they misbehave. We are not saying beat to kill, do so to instil discipline.
“The teachers should also know that when children are misbehaving, they should be punished. Our children should know that there is no place for delinquency. We cannot just let them do as they please. This is why drug abuse has taken root in our society.
“We are not British. We are not Americans. We are Africans. Here in Chipinge, we have a Ndau culture or Shangani. If a child is allowed to go to a traditional dancing ceremony, that does not mean they have been given the green light to misbehave,” said Vice President Chiwenga.
VP Chiwenga briefly digressed from his speech and introduced his daughter to the gathering, highlighting that she is being raised in the typical African way.
He went on to implore traditional leaders and the church to play a part in fighting drug abuse. Vice President Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, urged individuals to shun poor health seeking behaviour and cultivate a culture of fitness and wellness through taking part in sporting activities.
“It is said that health is wealth. You can only know how poorer you are when you lose your health. Research by the Centre of Disease Control shows that in 2019, deaths from communicable diseases in Zimbabwe was 47.6 percent, which was a huge improvement from the 78.6 percent recorded in 2000.
“In this regard, it becomes critical for fitness and wellness to be enhanced in our communities so that we promote healthy lifestyles,” he said.
Speaking during the same event; Youth, Arts, Sports and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry said the festival will be held annually.
A total of 18 Government ministries and 30 community based teams are taking part in the festival which has seen male and female participants below the age of 35 competing in football, volleyball and netball matches.
Several senior Government officials, including Cabinet Ministers, graced the event.
Vice President Chiwenga also commissioned a tennis court at Checheche High School and a ward at St Peter’s Hospital during the festival.
The ward was constructed through the Constituency Development Funds under the stewardship of House of Assembly member, Honourable Enoch Porusingazi.
Vice President Chiwenga donated 20 beds and blankets to be used in the new ward.
