Uncategorized

Zimbabwe pins high hopes on cannabis to help recover economy

Published

4 years ago

September 22, 2021

BY OLIVER MATTHEWS

Electric fences, barbed wire and a German shepherd dog are among the measures taken to secure a farm growing cannabis, one of Zimbabwe’s newest and most controversial export industries.

Although illegal cannabis cultivation can still result in jail time, this new business, located in Shamva district around 70 kilometers northeastern of Harare, offers fresh hope for an economy still reeling under numerous crises.

“We are a tobacco merchant company that is slowly diverting to cannabis,” Innocent Mahufe, chief executive of Voedsel Cannabis, the company that runs the farm, told Efe.

Voedsel Cannabis is one of 57 companies that was recently licensed by the Zimbabwean government to grow cannabis after President Emmerson Mnangagwa legalised its production in 2018 for medicinal or scientific purposes and under strict security measures.

Three years later, Zimbabwe joins the list of African countries legalising cannabis for export, including Lesotho, Zambia, Malawi and South Africa.

Making the transition from tobacco to cannabis is not simple or cheap, said Mahufe.

“This farm was like a jungle. We had to do all these things from scratch,” he explained, pointing to a newly-built dam, pump house and irrigation system, as well as new sheds and an administration block.

The company also plans to import state-of-the-art greenhouses from Belgium and South Africa in order to expand its cannabis crop to 10 hectares over the next few months.

To grow medicinal cannabis, companies require a permit costing US$50,000, which has to be renewed every five years. – EFE

In the community

Victoria Falls man sentenced to six months for domestic violence

Published

3 days ago

August 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 33-year-old Victoria Falls man has been sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for domestic violence charges. The sentence was handed down by the Victoria Falls Magistrates’ Court.

The man, from Chinotimba, was arrested on August 3 for a domestic violence charge. According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the facts of the matter are as follows: a misunderstanding arose between the offender and his 32-year-old wife over money left in her jacket. Later that evening, the offender shouted at his wife before strangling her several times on the neck. The victim reported the matter to the police, which led to the offender’s arrest.

The court sentenced the offender to 6 months imprisonment, with two months suspended for five years on condition of good behavior.

A further four months were suspended on the condition that he performs 140 hours of community service.

National

Zimbabwe roads claim 24 lives over Heroes holiday

Published

4 days ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A total of 24 people lost their lives on Zimbabwe’s roads during the 2025 Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, according to statistics released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The police reported 196 road traffic accidents, 13 of which were fatal, between August 11 and 13. This represents a significant increase from the previous year’s figures, which saw 149 accidents and eight fatalities.

Reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding, and overtaking errors were cited as major causes of the accidents.

Two major accidents occurred during the period, including a fatal crash on the Mutare-Masvingo Road that claimed the lives of six Zion Christian Church congregants. Another accident on the Bindura-Shamva Road resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.

The police have urged motorists to prioritize vehicle maintenance, avoid speeding and reckless overtaking, and adhere to road rules and regulations to prevent further loss of life.

In the community

Dete teen convicted for theft

Published

4 days ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A Dete teenager has been convicted of breaking into a local shop and stealing goods and cash worth US$131.

Artwell Ncube, 18, of Lupote in Dete, was found guilty of aggravated unlawful entry by the Hwange Magistrates Court.

According to court records, Ncube used an unknown object to open the locked shop door between May 20 and 25, 2025. Once inside, he stole groceries, airtime, and US$50 in cash.

The shop owner unexpectedly returned to the premises on May 25 at midnight and found Ncube inside. The teenager fled, leaving some stolen items behind.

A subsequent police investigation led to Ncube’s arrest. Property worth US$31 was recovered.

Ncube was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, which was fully suspended on condition that he repays ZWG3 516.04 to the complainant within six months and performs 110 hours of community service at Lupote Clinic which he started on Wednesday.