Shingirai
Vambe
Vambe
RUSAPE
– An
illicit brew called vhinyu has become a viable alternative for many people in
Rusape and elsewhere who find the new increases in the price of regular alcohol
unbearable for them.
– An
illicit brew called vhinyu has become a viable alternative for many people in
Rusape and elsewhere who find the new increases in the price of regular alcohol
unbearable for them.
The crude wine is said
to be so powerful that it can send the drinker into an immediate stupor,
raising serious questions about its suitability for human consumption.
to be so powerful that it can send the drinker into an immediate stupor,
raising serious questions about its suitability for human consumption.
The alcohol is
reportedly brewed at Sun Crest in Mutare and Matanuska in Odzi from grape
residues that are left out during wine-making processes
reportedly brewed at Sun Crest in Mutare and Matanuska in Odzi from grape
residues that are left out during wine-making processes
TellZim News
interviewed some vhinyu imbibers who said they were drowning their sorrows in
the cheap but dangerous substance.
interviewed some vhinyu imbibers who said they were drowning their sorrows in
the cheap but dangerous substance.
“We cannot afford the
normal alcohol that we used to buy. Clear and opaque beer as well as spirits
have become unaffordable so we have no choice,” said one drinker.
normal alcohol that we used to buy. Clear and opaque beer as well as spirits
have become unaffordable so we have no choice,” said one drinker.
The alcohol costs $1.50
per 500ml, making it cheaper than any beer, cider, wine or spirit on the formal
market.
per 500ml, making it cheaper than any beer, cider, wine or spirit on the formal
market.
A quart of regular beer
which contains five percent alcohol content costs an average $7 while a 750ml bottle
of viceroy brandy costs an average $40.
which contains five percent alcohol content costs an average $7 while a 750ml bottle
of viceroy brandy costs an average $40.
Broncleer, a cough
syrup with that is being abused mainly by the youth, is also said to be much
more expensive than vhinyu.
syrup with that is being abused mainly by the youth, is also said to be much
more expensive than vhinyu.
A lady who sells vhinyu
in Rusape had the highest praise for the brew, saying it was giving her a
livelihood.
in Rusape had the highest praise for the brew, saying it was giving her a
livelihood.
“We wake up early to go and buy vhinyu in
Mutare at either Sun Crest or Matanuska where they manufacture wine. The two
companies produce white and red vhinyu but our clients prefer red vhinyu to
white.
Mutare at either Sun Crest or Matanuska where they manufacture wine. The two
companies produce white and red vhinyu but our clients prefer red vhinyu to
white.
“A 20 litre container
costs $60 and we make a little profit out of it. Police at times raid us, but
this is our source of living. We have to find the means to get to our customers,”
she said.
costs $60 and we make a little profit out of it. Police at times raid us, but
this is our source of living. We have to find the means to get to our customers,”
she said.
Some alcohol connoisseurs
and health practitioners, however, warned against consumption of the new brew,
saying it was not being produced in accordance with set standards, and that its
alcohol content was not being measured.
and health practitioners, however, warned against consumption of the new brew,
saying it was not being produced in accordance with set standards, and that its
alcohol content was not being measured.
“It’s a dangerous
alcoholic concoction made under the dodgiest of conditions using questionable
ingredients. It’s not advisable to drink it as it contains many impurities that
pose twice or even thrice as much risks to health as regular alcohol,” said one
expert.
alcoholic concoction made under the dodgiest of conditions using questionable
ingredients. It’s not advisable to drink it as it contains many impurities that
pose twice or even thrice as much risks to health as regular alcohol,” said one
expert.
A few years back, many
people died from the effects of another illicit brew called ZED which some nicknamed
Zimbabwe’s Emergency Drink which was being smuggled from Mozambique and was
more affordable than regular alcohol.
people died from the effects of another illicit brew called ZED which some nicknamed
Zimbabwe’s Emergency Drink which was being smuggled from Mozambique and was
more affordable than regular alcohol.
