By Staff ReporterMasvingo – At least 162 people have been arrested and drugs valued at over $7 million recovered in Masvingo Province since January, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira has revealed, as the government intensifies its fight against drug and substance abuse across the province.Presenting a press statement on May 21, 2026, Chadzamira said the province was fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all Zimbabweans and building a drugfree, healthy, and productive society under the Zimbabwe MultiSectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 20242030, which was approved by Cabinet in April 2024.“Currently, Masvingo Province is embarking on District DSA Technical Committee trainings under the community reintegration pillar. These trainings are bringing out effects and experiences encountered by families, communities, and the province at large. Three districts have been trained to date namely Chiredzi, Mwenezi and Bikita and the remaining districts are expected to be trained by the end of June 2026,” said Chadzamira.The Minister revealed that from the beginning of the year to date, 162 people, 125 males and 37 females, had been arrested for drugrelated offences, with the majority being youths. Prosecutions and convictions stood at 83, comprising 60 males and 23 females.Recoveries included 533.49 kilogrammes of cannabis, and 7,512×100ml bottles of cough syrups (Broncleer and Benylin). The total value of recovered drugs was put at $7,080,010.Masvingo Province is a major transit point, with most drugs smuggled from South Africa and Mozambique passing through the province on their way to other cities such as Harare and Bulawayo. This strategic location makes the province a critical battleground in the national fight against drug trafficking.During the first quarter, the Supply Reduction Pillar carried out an awareness march campaign at Mucheke Stadium that attracted over 2,000 people of all ages.On the demand reduction side, the province reached 36,336 youths, 15,526 males and 20,810 females since the beginning of the year, with strategies spanning education, awareness, and communitylevel interventions.He said the government was working to expand access to rehabilitation services and integrate restorative care into health delivery systems. He added that training more mental health professionals and providing aftercare services to reduce relapse would be prioritised.Proposed rehabilitation centres across the province include Ngomahuru (Masvingo Province), Clipsham House (Masvingo District), Chambuta (Chiredzi District), Zivuku Clinic (Chivi District), Mushava Clinic (Mwenezi District), Muvava Clinic (Bikita District), and Bota Clinic (Zaka District). The Minister also said Masvingo City Council had offered four hectares of land towards the establishment of a rehabilitation centre.Asked on the issue of corruption towards drug dealers, Minister Chadzamira emphasised that the fight against drug and substance abuse was everyone’s responsibility and urged parents, guardians, community leaders, faithbased organisations, and young people to actively participate.He also disclosed that last year the province launched an antidrug fundraising campaign where individuals and corporates pledged US$27,000. He appreciated those who had honoured their pledges and urged others still to pay.“The fight against drug and substance abuse is everyone’s responsibility. Government alone cannot overcome this challenge without the active participation of families, communities, the private sector, faithbased organisations, and young people themselves,” said Chadzamira.He further announced that his office and the provincial police leadership were open to receiving tipoffs on anyone supplying drugs in Masvingo.“My office is open for tipoffs. The provincial police leadership is also open to receive information on those who could be supplying drugs in Masvingo. It is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.Parents and guardians were urged to remain vigilant and engaged in the lives of their children, while community leaders were called upon to foster environments that discourage drug use and support recovery. Young people were encouraged to make positive life choices and seek opportunities for personal and national development.
