Masvingo (New Ziana) – As cases of drug and substance abuse in Masvingo province rise, the Masvingo City Council, has not been spared from this vice.

The local authority is dealing with at least three disciplinary cases which are pending of members of the municipal police that failed to show up for work due to suspected alcohol and substance abuse.

According to a report of the Town Clerk, Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa in the minutes of the Health, Housing and Environmental Services Committee, the local authority has hired a psychiatric nurse and recommended that workers with problems be referred for rehabilitation.

“It was reported that there were three pending disciplinary cases for municipal police officers for absenteeism induced by alcohol and substance abuse. The Committee highlighted the need for the local authority to install breathalysers for monitoring drug abuse by council employees, and assessment by the council health experts as well as rehabilitation of addicted employees,” the Committee said.

The Town Clerk reported that alcoholism and addiction were becoming a huge challenge but council was making efforts to address the challenge. He advised that council recruited a Psychiatric Nurse, some employees with addiction problems were recommended for rehabilitation.”

The committee proposed that municipal police officers be subjected to a parade for His Worship the Mayor to conduct an inspection before the Full Council meeting or once a month.

Eng Mukaratirwa said that the human resources office will try and detect those with alcohol and substance abuse problems before it becomes a crisis.

He noted that the Human Resources Office will try to identify employees with such problems before it degenerates into a crisis. Members also noted that shebeens were now becoming a hive of alcohol and drug abuse, which should be reported to the police.

On procurement of breathalysers, it was reported that requisitions had been made.
New Ziana