BY BANDILE TSHUMA

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested six suspects in separate incidents involving the unlawful possession and cultivation of dangerous drugs across the country.

In a press statement written on Monday, police said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse.

On Sunday , police in Plumtree intercepted a Toyota Quantum vehicle and arrested Msawenkosi Ndlovu (49) and Vengai Chawa (41). The two were found in possession of 5 124 bottles of Broncleer cough syrup (100ml) and 4 170 bottles of Astra Pain cough syrup (100ml). The illicit substances are valued at approximately US$80 000.

In a separate case on the same day, police in Wedza arrested Emanuel Busemani (28) at Plot 7 Investment Farm in Melfort, Goromonzi in connection with the unlawful cultivation of dagga.

Meanwhile, in Bubi, Lacken Tshuma (55) and Owner Muleya (32) were arrested on Monday at Inunwa Ranch for unlawful cultivation of dagga.

In another incident on Friday, Tinashe Mero Shoko (22) and Eliot Badza (33) were arrested at a house in Garikai, Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge after police recovered 100 kilogrammes of dagga.

Police reiterated that the fight against drug and illicit substance peddling and trafficking will continue for the safety and security of Zimbabweans.

The ZRP urged members of the public to provide information on drug lords, dealers and criminal syndicates. Reports can be made through the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703 631, via WhatsApp on 0712 800 197, or at any nearest police station.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) recorded 110 human rights violations in January 2026, affecting 3 677 people across the country, according to its latest Monthly Monitoring Report.

The violations directly impacted 1 721 women and 1,956 men, including 33 persons with disabilities, highlighting what the organisation describes as the “disproportionate vulnerability of groups that are already at heightened risk of exclusion and discrimination.”

“In January, the Zimbabwe Peace Project documented 110 human rights violations, reflecting continued constraints on the enjoyment of protected human rights,” the report states.

ZPP said the violations point to “persistent patterns of civic space restriction and abuse of power,” with documented cases including threats of violence, assault, inequitable distribution of government support, restrictions on freedoms of assembly, association and expression, and barriers to accessing essential social services.

Other recorded violations included unjustified arrests, displacement, malicious damage to property and prolonged detention.

The report highlights political and state-linked actors as major perpetrators. “Members and supporters of the ruling party accounted for 45.6% of those perpetuating violations, indicating the continued politicization of civic and socio-economic spaces,” ZPP said.

Members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police accounted for 13.1%, while other state security agents contributed 3%. Government authorities were responsible for 5.1%, local authorities 11.4%, and school authorities 8.9% of violations. Traditional leaders accounted for 10.1%.

Among key incidents documented were assaults linked to political intolerance. In Zhombe, a resident was assaulted after demanding transparency in agricultural input distribution. Although the perpetrator was convicted, ZPP noted that “political pressure from party affiliates interfered with enforcement of the sentence resulting in the perpetrator not serving his sentence, thus undermining the rule of law.”

In Nyanga South, a community volunteer was attacked during a meeting and later fined US$50 for public violence after attempting to defend himself, while alleged perpetrators “faced no immediate consequences.”

ZPP also expressed alarm over proposed constitutional reforms.

“The Zimbabwe Peace Project has noted with serious concern the proposed 2026 Constitutional Amendment Bill in Zimbabwe, a legislation that could significantly reshape constitutionalism, democratic participation, and human rights protections regressively,” the report reads.

At the centre of concern is a proposal to replace direct presidential elections with a parliamentary selection process and to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years.

“The Bill further proposes restructuring or repealing key constitutional commissions, including the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission,” ZPP said, warning that weakening such institutions “risks eroding specialised human rights protections and undermining reconciliation efforts essential for long-term peace.”

ZPP called for “inclusive widespread national consultations, protection of independent commissions, and mandatory human rights impact assessments before constitutional changes are adopted,” adding that “constitutional reform must strengthen, not weaken, popular sovereignty, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights for all citizens.”

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Members of Parliament pressed Government ministers on pressing issues affecting farmers and rural communities during oral questions at the beginning of yesterday’s parliamentary sitting, according to the Hansard record released from the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

MP Kudakwashe Mananzva raised concerns about delays in the distribution of critical fertiliser following reports that Ammonium Nitrate (AN) had not yet reached farmers despite good rains this season.

“This year we received good rains and we received fertiliser compound D but we did not receive the Ammonium Nitrate (AN). What is the Government policy to make sure that people receive their AN fertiliser in time?” the MP asked, prompting an immediate response from the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi.

In reply, Minister Ziyambi acknowledged logistical challenges facing distribution agencies but stressed that efforts were underway to address the delays. “They experienced some delays in terms of transportation,” he said, adding that authorities had pledged to ensure AN fertiliser was disbursed and that “when the rains recommence, farmers will continue farming and we will make sure farmers will receive their fertilisers.” He concluded with a pledge to “fight to make sure that all fertilisers are disbursed in time,” reflecting Government’s commitment to agricultural support.

In the same session, Patrick Sagandira, the elected Member of Parliament for Makoni Central, raised concern about the spread of livestock diseases affecting cattle in the wake of heavy rains, with particular reference to January disease, which devastates herds during the rainy season. 

Sagandira asked: “What is the Government policy in making sure that farmers get medication for their livestock, especially the January disease?”

Minister Ziyambi reiterated Government advice on preventative measures rather than direct treatment. “To avoid January disease… every week, farmers are expected to spray the cattle or there must be dip tanks,” he said, noting that the Ministry had distributed “some tick grease to farmers in the rural areas” to help curb infestations and disease transmission.

Turning to critical infrastructure,Tendai Pinduka questioned the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, on Government policy regarding rural roads, many of which have been damaged by recent rainfall.

“Most of the roads, especially those in rural areas, have been eroded by rainfall,” Pinduka said, asking when fuel allocations for road rehabilitation would be released to councils.

Minister Mhona explained that responsibilities for road maintenance are divided among authorities, with rural district councils and agencies like RIDA responsible for specific networks. He stressed that Government, through the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) and the Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 (ERRP2), would support councils.

“We are pleading with the Rural District Councils that they must give us names of the roads and the kilometres that need to be rehabilitated,” he told MPs, adding that monitoring would ensure fuel disbursed was used for its intended purpose.

Supplementary questions further highlighted concerns about damaged bridges critical for access to schools and clinics. In response, Minister Mhona stressed the importance of collaboration between provincial engineers, councils and the Ministry to ensure “bridges can be rehabilitated swiftly.”

On frustration from MPs about failure to access fuel due to prior reporting shortfalls, the Minister said the Ministry had found solutions in some cases, including allocating further fuel while addressing accountability concerns.

Finally, questions arose about deteriorating town roads. Minister Mhona clarified that urban road networks fall under local authority jurisdiction, but reaffirmed Government commitment through ERRP2 to step in when needed, stating that “no place and no one is going to be left behind.”