Project to spot pupils abusing drugs

THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has joined hands with the Zimbabwe Republic Police have set up an anonymous tip-off facility at schools on identifying students taking drugs.

Dr Themba Mangwiro, Mashonaland Central Province acting education director, said pupils will also be allowed to rat on drug peddlers within their communities.

The move has been hailed by education and health stakeholders, who say this is one of the best solutions to eradicate drugs and substance abuse within schools and the community.

The development comes just a few days after a Form IV Chipindura High School pupil was found hanging in his mother’s bedroom last Friday.

According to Dr Mangwiro, the student, who was a boarder at the Bindura school was caught with some e cigarettes by prefects last Thursday.

The prefects then took him to the disciplinary committee, which instructed him to go back home and bring his parents.

The student went home but was found dead by the family’s domestic helper the next morning.

Mashonaland Central provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Milton Mundembe said:
“On 16 January 2024 at around 1000 hours, Cynthia Tambudza, the maid went to number 01 Greyline flat, Mnandi, Bindura, for work. Upon arrival, she found the bedroom door of her employer slightly opened.

“She knocked at the door but no one responded.

She then opened the door and saw (the student) hanging from the curtain rail rod.

“She informed her employer’s neighbour about the incident and her employer, the deceased’s mother, who was at Freda Rebecca Gold Mine for work.

“ZRP Bindura Central Town Base attended the scene and found a suicide note in which the deceased pleaded for forgiveness from his mother for disappointing her.

“His body was conveyed to Bindura Hospital mortuary where a postmortem was conducted by Dr Budirirai Gwagwa, who revealed that the cause of death was due to Meunogenia shock and cervical spine fracture or dislocation.

“Life is precious and problems are part of life. So, whatever one faces problems should learn to share. There is an old English adage which says, a problem shared is half solved.”