BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
On Sunday, an enlightening X Space meeting delved into the escalating drug crisis in Zimbabwe, featuring critical insights from speakers African Queen and Syllogism. Their discussions shed light on the systemic challenges that continue to exacerbate drug abuse and trafficking in the country.
African Queen characterized the need for “willpower in the political system” as fundamental to successfully addressing the crisis. Drawing parallels with success stories from other nations, she stated, “Consider South Africa, which has successfully sent numerous professionals to Cuba for training. If Zimbabwe’s leadership genuinely wants to see its nation thrive, they must invest similarly in addressing the root causes of drug abuse. We cannot simply implement punitive measures; we need to create a narrative that builds awareness and educates our people.”
Critically, she expressed her discontent with government responses that focus on punishment rather than support. “What I do not like personally is a punitive government,” she explained. “When faced with societal issues, the first instinct seems to be to penalize the very citizens who are struggling to survive amid these problems. We want a government that engages with the public constructively rather than punishing them for attempting to escape their hardships.”
Highlighting a specific incident in Bulawayo, she referred to a recent proposal from the city council advocating punitive measures for littering, noting that it falls short of the necessary educational initiatives. “They want to impose fines, suggesting that citizens should inherently know better, but there’s been no concerted effort to educate them on why keeping our cities clean is crucial. Education should come before punishment to foster informed decision-making among the public.”
Syllogism echoed these sentiments while exploring the systemic challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with drug-related issues in Zimbabwe. “It’s interesting to observe discussions around illegal drugs, especially given the recent escalations we’ve seen in Harare, where there’s been a significant police presence on major roads,” he remarked. “However, the critical question remains: Are these enforcement officers truly equipped to detect drugs effectively?”
He elaborated, noting, “Zimbabwe’s laws and rehabilitation systems have been heavily modeled after those in the UK, establishing a structural framework for enforcement. Yet, the real issue resides in the execution of these laws. Our police face resource challenges—a lack of sniffer dogs, insufficient training, and low morale driven by low pay—that undermine their ability to combat drug trafficking effectively. This systemic weakness allows those with financial power to evade justice while the less fortunate bear the brunt of legal repercussions.”
Syllogism continued, emphasizing, “The current approach is detrimental; it allows big suppliers to bribe their way out of trouble, leaving the poor to face harsh consequences for minor infractions. To truly address the problem, we must rethink how we motivate our law enforcers and tackle the corruption that permeates the system. Without proper incentives, our highly functioning laws, police, courts, and prisons will remain ineffective.”
Both speakers highlighted the alarming trend of drug abuse in Zimbabwe, noting that approximately 80% of the population acknowledges the issue as a serious concern. This crisis disproportionately affects the youth, making education and preventive programs vital to stemming the tide of addiction.
The police have recently ramped up efforts to combat drug abuse, with significant seizures reported. In one operation, law enforcement intercepted vehicles carrying over 60 kilograms of illegal substances, alongside multiple arrests, including a group of foreign Chinese nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking offenses in Harare.
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