The Zimbabwe Republic Police has received anti-narcotics laboratory equipment worth more than US$100 000 from China to help in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
The donation, which came at a time when the country is struggling to tame the drug abuse scourge, especially among the youth, was handed over to Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe at Police General Headquarters on Thursday morning.
Speaking at the event, Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding said:
“China seeks to work with Zimbabwe, to meet the challenges and achieve prosperity for all. Going forward, China will implement more development cooperation projects in Zimbabwe to strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership, and deliver more benefits to the Zimbabwean people."
Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga hailed the seamless relationship between Zimbabwe and China, while Kazembe described drug abuse as a major economic setback as funds meant for development end up channelled toward the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers.
He said the equipment will go a long way in strengthening police's capacity to identify drugs and improve detection levels.
