Harare, (New Ziana) –Cabinet on Tuesday approved the upward review of fines for levels 5 to 7 offences that also carry up to two years imprisonment.
Level 5 to 7 fines vary from US$30 for Level 5 up to US$400 for Level 7 or the ZiG equivalent, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere told the media that the approval comes hard on the heels of joint operations involving the Liquor Licensing Board and the police that inspected 724 liquor premises with 124 outlet owners arrested for violating their license conditions.
He said according to a report on the national drug and substance abuse response that his Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage counterpart, Kazembe Kazembe presented to Cabinet, the fight against the scourge across the country is ongoing with Crystal Meth now designated as a dangerous drug.
At least 2 373 people were arrested and 48 bases identified, raided and destroyed in Harare (10), Manicaland (25), Mashonaland Central (6), Matabeleland North (3), Mashonaland West (2) and Midlands (2).
The national response involves monitoring, surveillance and law enforcement activities.
Dr Muswere said 25 792 youths were sensitized on anti-drug and substance abuse-related matters in Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland North and Manicaland provinces while in the education sector, a total of569 969 learners were sensitized through special assemblies in collaboration with the Victim Friendly Unit, guidance and counseling interactive sessions, sporting activities and peer education.
The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development had sensitized 14 951 people across the country through campaigns against social ills such as Gender Based Violence (GBV), child marriages, HIV and AIDS, internal savings and lending, financialliteracy, ward meetings and gender sensitization meetings held in collaboration with sister Ministries and development partners.
“A total of 16 529 people were capacitated on various income-generating projects such as poultry, detergent-making, drink-making, packaging, branding and perfume-making,” he said.
“It is pleasing to note that some religious organisations have embraced the fight against drug and substance abuse through campaigns encouraging particularly the youths to live drug-free lives.”
The Empower Bank capacitated youths across the country by providing them with starter packs while 101 youths were trained under the revamped Youth Service in Zimbabwe program with more expected to be enrolled following the launch of the program by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at Nhakiwa, in the Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe district, Mashonaland East province on May 24 this year.
“In an effort to restore the spirit of volunteerism, responsibility and ownership in the youths, the Youth Build Zimbabwe initiative saw 1 900 youth volunteers participating in various community development projects in Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces,” said Dr Muswere.
New Ziana
