RENOWNED Zimdancehall musician Tawanda Mumanyi, otherwise popularly known as Seh Calaz is worried that government was not working fast enough to stem the country’s ravaging drug and substance abuse scourge.
The Mabhanditi hitmaker took to social media to raise his concern over drugs and substance abuse which has become a menace especially to youths, saying government needs to act as quickly as possible to put in place practical measures to stop drug abuse and supply.
“Government needs to step up, just saying on television, radio, speeches, social media and song is not enough and we all know that. Stop these things,” Seh Calaz posted on social media.
The musician added that musicians, producers, fans, disc jockeys, bloggers and both the young and old are abusing drugs. He also noted that even civil servants are abusing crystal meth, popularly known as mutoriro or dombo in street lingo.
“We know who sells them (drugs) and where they sell it. Mutoriro is now a pandemic,” he added in his social media post.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Seh Calaz said he does not want to seem to be going ahead of the government, but it should intensify efforts and work faster to stop the scourge.
“The pace they are working with is slow. I am not saying ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) is doing less, but nothing has changed, not just in Mbare, people still remain high on drugs. Singing “say no to drugs” is not enough.” he said.
Seh Calaz, however, could not disclose whether he is willing to name drug suppliers to the police or give them a lead to arrest suspects, saying that people who consume drugs or stay close to where drugs are sold know suppliers.
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In August 2022, Seh Calaz encouraged youths to drop drugs, especially crystal meth.
Recently police arrested two Chitungwiza sisters, Brenda and Letina Jinjike over unlawful possession of 50 and 30 grams of crystal meth, respectively.
A video showing minors consuming alcohol in central Harare went viral after Christmas day, last year, and the ZRP have since confirmed the arrest of the suspect Phaeton Mutiyaya for supplying liquor to the minors.
Police also publicly named individuals suspected of drug-related activities, in response to the National Committee on the Elimination of Drugs and Substance Abuse's intensified efforts.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said ZRP is committed to swiftly swoop on drug lords and suppliers, including those who have received court convictions or are currently on remand.
Some of the recently named and shamed drug peddlers include: Evans Dube, Leeroy Bruce Tungama, Gift Maunda, Tinashe Murenzvi, Nokhutaba Sibanda, Lindiwe Mhlanga, Onita Dube, David Dhidha, Raccbi Matekenya, Shylin Maredza, Anymore Chiseko, Tawanda Sibindi, Tinashe Nyakunzu, Zenzo Mhlanga, Simbarashe Mukucha, Hilary Motsi, Thembekile Zulu, Ronald Mhlanga, Honest Ndlovu, Linda Sibanda, Salatine Dzangare, Mercy Muzulu, Hitler Tafadzwa Jungura, Ellen Munetsi, Christina Tsikwa, Bobby Kambangura, Tafadzwa Tambudzai, Pride Jeferry Machidza, Alabi Braima, Khulekani Moyo, Nomatter Muchemwa, Marry Muchemwa, Attorney Rudo,Bonface Mufundisi, Joseph Muleya, Nyaradzai Chipfuman, Kirt Ndlovu, Cleopas Moyo, Cohen Nyakarenga, Letina Jinjike, Brenda Jinjike and Phaeteon Mutiyaya.
According to a Unicef report on substance abuse among Zimbabwean adolescents and young people published in October last year, cannabis (mbanje) is the most commonly-abused substance, followed by cough syrup, crystal meth, illegal alcohol, pharmaceuticals, crack, cocaine powder and heroin.
“Alcohol, drug and substance abuse in order of consumption are cannabis 67%, cough syrup 47%, crystal meth 36%, illegal alcohol 31%, pharmaceuticals 13%, crack 3%, cocaine powder 3% and heroin 2%,” the report read.
