Police in Matabeleland North Province have started a crime awareness campaign against drug abuse and
illicit substances, this comes after a number of youth have succumbed to the effects of drug abuse
country wide.
In an interview with Crispen Chihwehwete the Ass Commissioner Crime and Operations, he said the
trend of drug abuse is growing at an alarming rate.
“We are having this operation targeting illegal illicit drugs and substances, we are targeting the youth.
We have noticed that the trend is going at an alarming rate, otherwise we will not have a future
generation to talk about” he said.
The police recently intensified their crackdown against drug peddlers and syndicates countrywide
through the setting up of crack teams to lead the operation, and since the beginning of the campaign,
the police have so far arrested 22 offenders who were in possession of different types of drugs.
The awareness which is running under the theme, See Something, Say Something, No to Drug Abuse and
illicit substances encourages the community members in identifying drug abusers and drug sellers.
Drug abuse has continued to claim the lives of our people, and that includes able bodied men and
women with the potential of steering national development.
“We have people from other countries transporting these drugs, the transporters are using the country
as a route as well as the destination of drugs and illicit substances.
Drug abuse has resulted in the increase of violent crimes, unintentional injuries, road traffic accidents,
and multiple as well as psychological and mental health complications.
The police have indicated that there are two families of drugs which are the Medicinal drugs and
dangerous drugs.
“Medicinal drugs, body parts enhancers, sex enhancers , pharmaceutical medicines including Ibuprofen
caffenol and cough syrups. These are only allowed if prescribed by doctors ,apart from there it is now
drug abuse ,” he said
The most abused drugs is cough syrups commonly known as Ngoma or bronco and on dangerous drugs,
Crystal meth which is also known as Mutoriro ,gucka ,causes a severe body harm ,it destroys the brain
mass.On the other hand ,the skin lighteners and body enhancers also destroys cells in a body.
“May I also implore the community to thwart the common, but cancerous practice of drug abuse,we can
curb this if we work together” he said.

Villagers in Kasibo struggling to get market to sell their products from the Garden
By Lessely Lee Chimushonga

Farmers in Kasibo wetland are crying foul over the lack of a market to sell their farm products.
Despite the excessive water for irrigation the farmers continue to have stockpiles of farm produce which
has no market.
Speaking to Mathew Ndlovu a farmer in Kasibo he said the road is in a bad state, which makes it even
hard to transport the farm produce.
“The road is bad and the few transporters who use the Kasibo route are expensive, this as a result is
affecting us economically.If we try to hire transport it will be too expensive most of the farmers don’t
want to work together” he said.
He said their perishables end up being affected as no one will be able to transport their products.
Another farmer Gift Tshuma is appealing for the provision for ready market for the farm produce.
“ As farmers we don’t have a fixed market to supply. We wish there was a company like OK or TM or
any other shop which can buy our products sometimes, which would have perishable products like
Tomatoes which would need fast market and transport .” according to Gift Tshuma