Harare, (New Ziana) – The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, in a bid to more effectively tackle drug abuse challenges in the country, on Wednesday launched specialised Drug and Substance Abuse Courts.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi launched specialised training for judicial officers who will man the courts, including magistrates and prosecutors. The Drug and Substance Abuse Courts, being rolled out across the country, are designed to process drug-related cases with greater speed, consistency, and fairness.
They also aim to distinguish between traffickers who deserve firm penalties and users, especially first-time offenders who require treatment and rehabilitation. “The starting point in this endeavour is equipping magistrates and prosecutors with the specialised knowledge, procedural tools and ethical frameworks necessary to adjudicate drug-related matters with speed, fairness and a measured appreciation of the public-health dimensions of substance use. These are the men and women who are on the front line of our criminal justice system and who will be central to the operationalisation of the Drug and Substance Abuse Courts,” Ziyambi said.
He said the establishment of Drug and Substance Abuse Courts is an important component of the Government’s decisive response to a problem that threatens the very fabric of society.
“This is not a parallel court system; it is a strategic mechanism within the magistracy, aimed at ensuring fair and efficient justice, while supporting our broader national response,” he said.
Deputy Prosecutor General, Nelson Mutsonziwa, delivering remarks on behalf of Prosecutor General Loyce Matanda-Moyo, underscored the importance of skills to handle drug abuse cases. “The complexities of drug-related offences demand a justice system equipped with especially trained, knowledgeable, and fit-for-purpose personnel. Our sentences must not only be fair but also act as an effective deterrent,” said Matanda- Moyo.
Meanwhile, the Ministry is also drafting the National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill, which will establish a specialised agency with two core divisions: an Enforcement Division to combat trafficking and a Social Services Intervention Division to coordinate rehabilitation and reintegration.
New Ziana
