Police arrested eight suspects in connection with the unlawful possession of dagga, crystal meth, and unregistered medicines in Harare and Beitbridge between March 2 and March 4, 2025.
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Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests on Wednesday, identifying the suspects as Mphakamiseni Dhlamini (41), Ishmael Chikara (35), Linda Jimu (26), Priviledge Muchenje (also known as Ndanatsei Muchenje, 39), Sylia Tanyanyiwa (41), Simbarashe Maenzanise (41), Siphelile Mashamba (33), and Alice Shatirwa (29).
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Nyathi added that the arrests led to the recovery of 151 kilogrammes of dagga, 260 bottles of 100 Broncleer Syrup, and a quantity of crystal meth yet to be determined. The bulk of the dagga was recovered at Beitbridge Border Post.
Nyathi issued a stern warning to individuals and groups involved in drug trafficking and peddling, saying the law would be enforced without fear or favour.

Pindula News

Eight people were arrested for having drugs in Harare and Beitbridge. They had dagga, crystal meth, and unregistered medicines. The police found 151 kilograms of dagga and 260 bottles of Broncleer Syrup. The suspects are facing consequences for their actions, with the police warning others involved in drug trafficking. The law will be enforced on anyone who breaks it.

Eight Arrested In Drug Bust Across Harare And Beitbridge

In Gokwe, Midlands Province, a village head reportedly mobilised villagers to prevent police officers from arresting his wife and two other individuals who were illegally cultivating mbanje (dagga/marijuana).
According to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/village-head-mobilises-against-cops/">The Herald</a>, the police had to resort to firing warning shots to disperse the crowd and apprehend Brian Kuruwa (36), Talkmore Muzondiwa (30), and Shylet Magigani (32) – all from Kuruwa Village under Chief Nemangwe’s jurisdiction. The trio had been illegally growing dagga along the banks of the Svisvi River.
The three accused persons have since appeared before a Gokwe magistrate, who convicted them of illegal marijuana cultivation and possession.
Kuruwa was sentenced to a total of four years imprisonment, with one year suspended on the condition of good behaviour.
Muzondiwa received a 24-month prison term, with eight months suspended, while Magigani was sentenced to three years’ incarceration.
The court was informed that during the arrest operation, Muzondiwa’s husband, Joseph Kuruwa (43), who serves as the village head, managed to flee from his home and subsequently mobilized other villagers to confront the police.
In response, the law enforcement officers were forced to fire warning shots to subdue the unruly crowd and apprehend the suspects.
Officer Commanding Midlands Police (Operations), Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo told The Herald that police recovered 6,500 plants and 170kg of processed dagga.
He said police were alerted that some villagers were dealing in dangerous drugs and cultivating dagga in places along Svisvi River banks which are not easily accessible since it is mountainous.
Police officers went there and found Kuruwa busy watering the dagga plot. Said Asst. Comm. Matambo:
<blockquote>
He was arrested and 67 plants of dagga were uprooted from his plot. Subsequent investigations led the police to Muzondiwa’s residence where they recovered a sack of dried dagga.
</blockquote>
He said Magigani was also found at her homestead where they recovered three sacks of dagga from her bedroom hut.
It remains unclear whether the village head, Joseph Kuruwa, was arrested for his actions. However, his alleged mobilisation of villagers to interfere with the police operation is likely to result in him facing charges of obstructing the course of justice, as defined under Section 184 of Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Village Head Mobilises Villagers Against Police Officers

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) intercepted a South Africa-registered vehicle carrying 48kg of cannabis and a large quantity of the controlled Benylin Cough Syrup on Wednesday, April 03, in Beitbridge.
In a statement, the ZRP said the contraband was hidden in a false compartment of the Toyota Quantum trailer. Police said:
<blockquote>
On 03/04/24, Police acted on received information and recovered 2 668 x 100 mls Benylin Cough Syrup and 48 kilogrammes of loose dagga which were hidden in a false compartment of the Toyota Quantum trailer.
</blockquote>
In another development, police officers and officials from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), recovered 20 kilogrammes of dagga hidden in a Toyota Quantum vehicle at the Malume parking lot, Beitbridge Border Post on Sunday.
However, one of the vehicle’s crew, Michael Mkhokheli fled from the scene leaving his passport in the car. Said the Police:
<blockquote>
On 31/03/24, Police in Beitbridge in conjunction with ZIMRA officials recovered 20 kilogrammes of dagga, with a street value of ZWL$ 20 000 000, which was hidden in a Toyota Quantum vehicle at Malume parking lot, Beitbridge Border Post. One of the vehicle’s crew, Michael Mkhokheli fled from the scene leaving his passport in the car.
</blockquote>
Drug and substance abuse is a serious problem in Zimbabwe, particularly among the youth population. Commonly abused substances include alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and non-medicinal use of controlled medicines.
Shockingly, approximately 60% of patients admitted to mental health institutions suffer from drug-related issues. Drug dealers even exploit young street children to sell and distribute drugs in Harare.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZRP Intercept Large Mbanje, Cough Syrup Contraband At Beitbridge

Harare lawyer Tapiwanashe Mukandi has approached the Constitutional Court challenging the dismissal of his High Court application seeking the legalisation of and cultivation of marijuana (mbanje), reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200019961/lawyer-takes-mbanje-challenge-to-concourt">NewsDay</a>.
On 13 July 2023, Mukandi filed an application challenging laws that criminalise the possession, consumption as well as cultivation of cannabis in Zimbabwe.
The application was dismissed by High Court judge Justice Gladys Mhuri in a judgement delivered on 31 October.
Justice Mhuri ruled that cannabis has potentially harmful health effects if left unchecked.
In his ConCourt application filed on Tuesday this week, Mukandi argued that the High Court erred in its interpretation of the provisions of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Mukandi, through his lawyer Tererai Mafukidze instructed by Tapiwa Chivanga of Scanlen &amp; Holderness submitted to the court:
<blockquote>
The provisions of section 156(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) as read with the definition of ‘deal in’ in section 155 of the Criminal Law are inconsistent with sections 57, 56(1), and 52 of the Constitution and are constitutionally invalid only to the extent that they make the cultivation in a private place, use, or possession by an adult person for his or her own consumption in private a criminal offence.
</blockquote>
Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe were cited as respondents.
Meanwhile, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/countries-where-you-can-legally-consume-cannabis/spain/slideshow/101833256.cms">in 2013, Uruguay became the first country to legalise</a> the production, sale, and consumption of cannabis for recreational use.
Since then, countries such as Spain have allowed personal use and cultivation of cannabis in private spaces.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Lawyer Takes Marijuana Challenge To Constitutional Court

A 25-year-old drug peddler from Sakubva, Mutare was recently arrested at his residence and found with two kilogrammes of marijuana and a sachet of crystal methamphetamine, popularly known as “mutoriro”.
Nilence Mhako (25) who operated from Devonshire, Sakubva, initially evaded arrest and fled.
He was, however, nabbed the following day after detectives from the Mutare Criminal Investigations Department (CID)’ Drugs and Narcotics Unit fired six warning shots.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Manicaland Province, Inspector Muzondo, confirmed the development to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/police-intensify-anti-drugs-operation/">The Manica Post</a>. He said:
<blockquote>
We confirm the arrest of Nilence Mhako of Devonshire, Sakubva. The Mutare CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit received information that Mhako was peddling drugs.
They reacted to the information by raiding Mhako’s residence. However, Mhako fiercely resisted arrest and fled.
The following day, the officers regrouped and went back to Mhako’s residence where they found him preparing a twist of dagga.
After the detectives identified themselves, he tried to evade arrest again and fiercely fought the detectives.
He was only subdued by the six warning shots that were fired by the police. That is how he was arrested.
We recovered two kilogrammes of dagga and one sachet of crystal meth from Mhako’s place.
As the police, we continue raiding drug peddlers’ havens and confiscating the drugs and substances.
</blockquote>
Insp Muzondo appealed to the public to continue cooperating with the police in exposing drug dealers and their hide-outs.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police Fire Six Warning Shots As Drug Peddler Resists Arrest

A motorist from Chiweshe reportedly panicked and fled a police roadblock in Glendale and left his car behind with 360g of marijuana on the block.
The motorist, Vitas Chigwanda (27), was later taken to Concession magistrates courts, where he appeared before magistrate Joshua Nembaware.
<h3>What Happened?</h3>
On July 13, the police stopped Chigwanda at the 40-kilometre peg along the Glendale-Chiweshe highway. Chigwanda panicked, disembarked from the car, and fled. The police searched the vehicle and found 360g of dagga. Chigwanda returned to the scene several hours later and was subsequently arrested. He was remanded in custody until July 17.
<h3>Growing, Possession and Use of Marijuana / Dagga / Mbanje in Zimbabwe</h3>
In Zimbabwe, the production, use, and possession of marijuana are strictly regulated by the government. While the use of marijuana for medicinal and scientific purposes has been decriminalised, it is still illegal to grow, possess, or use marijuana for recreational (enjoyment/pleasure) purposes.
In 2018, the Zimbabwean government allowed for the legal production of industrial hemp, a strain of the cannabis plant that contains very low levels of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2020/09/19/marijuana-growing-regulations-gazetted/">Statutory Instrument 218 Agricultural Marketing Authority (Industrial Hemp) Regulations</a>, gazetted in 2018 by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Anxious Masuka, does not legalise the production or use of marijuana for recreational purposes, as the use of marijuana for non-medical purposes remains illegal in Zimbabwe.
SI 218 provides for three types of permits for growers, namely general growers’, research and breeding, and industrial hemp merchant’s permits. 
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Motorist Flees Leaving Car With Marijuana At A Police Roadblock

A new study of hundreds of people conducted by North Carolina researchers found that women who smoked marijuana before sex or masturbated had better orgasms during intercourse.
The study suggests the drug relaxes women and increases their desire, meaning the recreational drug could treat sexual dysfunction.
The relaxation is thought to be due to THC, the best-known cannabinoid or active ingredient in the cannabis plant.
The study involved both men and women and more than 70 per cent of the participants reported higher sexual satisfaction after using marijuana.
The researchers wrote in the study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research:
<blockquote>
Overall, cannabis use has a positive effect on perceived sexual efficacy and satisfaction for individuals, regardless of gender or age, and cannabis may help reduce gender disparities in sexual pleasure.
</blockquote>
The study was conducted by scientists from East Carolina University and North Carolina State University.
It was aimed at understanding the effects of cannabis on sexual performance and satisfaction. The study said:
<blockquote>
While more than 90 per cent of men usually experience orgasm during sex, less than 50 per cent of women regularly experience orgasm during intercourse and only six per cent always experience orgasm during sex.
</blockquote>
The study also found that marijuana enhances touch, taste and smell, senses that can make or break sex.
Another finding was that the acute organism, when under the influence, only occurred when cannabis was used intentionally before sex. Wrote the researchers:
<blockquote>
These findings may be due to the psychological assumption that using cannabis will increase pleasure due to the aphrodisiac perception of cannabis rather than the true physiological effects.
However, the relaxation effects of cannabis may contribute to or decrease desire which may contribute to increased sexual performance and satisfaction.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://newstimesuk.com/2023/01/27/cannabis-helps-women-have-multiple-orgasms-during-sex-including-masturbation/">News Times</a>

Cannabis Helps Women Have Multiple Orgasms During Sex | Research Shows

Two police officers recently descended a flight of stairs in terror at Iminyela Flats in Iminyela suburb at the home of a traditional healer after an eerie voice thundered in their ears.
The two Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officers had been sent to arrest the traditional healer, Thamsanqa Mutisi (35), for allegedly cultivating marijuana in his backyard garden.
The incident occurred at the crack of dawn on 6 January 2023.
It is alleged that when the two detectives approached the witch doctor, there was a misunderstanding between the two parties.
The cops demanded that Mutisi should accompany them to the police station and he felt disrespected.
A neighbour who had been awoken by the noise told B-Metro that she witnessed the incident through a partially open door. She said:
<blockquote>
Suddenly, Ukhulu (as Mutisi is popularly known) appeared to have gone into a trance.
His ancestors spoke through him in a deep rumbling voice that scared the pants off the policemen.
He waved his rod at them and the guttural voice told them lightning would strike them dead on the spot if they continued harassing Ukhulu.
</blockquote>
The witness claimed that the police officers took to their heels and descended the stairs with haste. She said:
<blockquote>
Like deflating balloons, they repeatedly bumped into each other in random and uncoordinated movement in a desperate attempt to get to the door.
With eyes popping in fear the cops squeezed through the door and flew down the steps.
I could hear them screaming piercingly as they shot down the stairs behind me. It is a miracle they did not fall down and get badly injured.
Once outside, they streaked away in different directions, probably to regroup at the police station after getting over the shock.
</blockquote>
After a few hours, several police officers came to the traditional healer’s flat. Said another neighbour:
<blockquote>
The new squad humbled themselves and respectfully asked Ukhulu for permission to arrest him.
He forwarded their request to his ancestral spirits, who granted the request.
</blockquote>
It is further alleged that Mutisi then led the cops to three marijuana plants which were well maintained and measured 20 centimetres, 35 centimetres and 90 centimetres, respectively, in his garden.
The detectives uprooted the plants and took them to CID Drugs and Narcotics and took Mutisi to Western Commonage Police Station.
Mutisi appeared before Western Commonage Court resident magistrate shepherd Mnjanja facing a charge of planting dagga.
He pleaded guilty to the charge but said the plants belonged to his ancestors who had instructed him to grow them for healing purposes.
Mutasa, who is being represented by Tinashe Dzipe of Morris Davies and Co Law firm, was remanded out of custody to 18 January 2023 on $30 000 bail. | <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/bulawayo-cops-flee-ganja-farming-ancestral-spirits/">B-Metro</a>

Two Cops Flee Marijuana Farming Traditional Healer

A Bulawayo man was rushed to the hospital after a small pack of dagga/mbanje he had swallowed got stuck in his throat as police detectives closed in on him.
Prosecutors told the court that detectives received a tip-off that Shadreck Marumure (37) was selling dagga at his home in the Entumbane suburb.
The detectives descended on Marumure’s home last week on Friday at around 4 AM to conduct investigations.
Upon seeing the detectives, Marumure allegedly reached for a pack of dagga that he had placed on the chair in his bedroom and tried to swallow it.
Unfortunately, the packet got stuck in his throat and choked him, forcing him to cough persistently.
It is further alleged that the detectives got suspicious and tried to force him to spit it but he could not as it was firmly stuck in his throat.
When the detectives searched the house, they found two small packs wrapped in Marumure’s underwear while hidden under his mattress and they arrested him.
They rushed him to Mpilo Central Hospital where health staff managed to remove the pack that was stuck in his throat.
It is estimated that the recovered dagga has a street value of ZWL$247 500.
Marumure appeared for trial before Western Commonage Courts magistrate Shepherd Mjanja facing a charge of selling mbanje.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody to Monday next week for continuation of trial. | <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/cornered-drug-peddler-swallows-mbanje-and-chokes/">B-Metro</a>

Cornered Drug Seller Swallows Mbanje

Police in Mutare have seized more than 1 tonne of marijuana (mbanje) following a high-speed chase with two suspects who overran a checkpoint, prompting a hot pursuit.
In a post on Twitter, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the suspects later bailed on foot after crashing their vehicle.
The suspects appeared before a Mutare magistrate today and were remanded in custody today. Police said:
<blockquote>On 24/05/21, Police in Mutare recovered 24x50kgs sacks of dagga weighing 1 080kgs and a Toyota Granvia, AFM 0627, after the vehicle was dumped by suspects near Christmas pass.
The suspects were first stopped at a police checkpoint in Hot springs, where they disobeyed the order by hitting roadblock drums and sped off.
A high-speed chase ensued up until they got to Christmas pass where they abandoned the vehicle after being involved in a minor road traffic accident.
Two suspects have since been arrested in connection with the case and have appeared before Mutare Magistrate court where they were remanded in custody pending bail application.</blockquote>
Cases people caught in possession of marijuana have been on the rise across the country over the past several months with suspects found with staggering amounts of the illegal drug.
Early this month police in Victoria Falls arrested Patricia Ncube (49) of Mkhosana suburb in Victoria Falls after they recovered 14 by 50kg bags of mbanje hidden in her bedroom.
There were also twists of mbanje that were found hidden in a container in the same house. The drug had a street value of $48 million.

Police Recover 1 Tonne Of Mbanje After High-speed Chase In Mutare

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Republic_Police">The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)</a> has confirmed the arrest of a Victoria Falls woman who was found in possession of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mbanje">marijuana or dagga or mbanje</a> worth about $40 million. We present the police’s statement below.
<blockquote>The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Patricia Ncube (49) of number 6885 Mkhosana, Victoria Falls, for unlawful possession of dagga on 28 April 2021.
Police detectives received information to the effect that the suspect was in possession of dangerous drugs and acting on the information, they teamed up with the Canine Unit and raided the suspect’s residence. They arrested the suspect and recovered 14X50 bags of dagga weighing 481kgs, with a street value of ZWL $48 100 000.00, in the suspect’s bedroom. The suspect will soon appear in court.
We applaud the general public for supplying information on criminal activities to the Police. In the same vein, drug peddlers will be accounted for and the law will take its course.</blockquote>
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More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Victoria Falls Woman Found In Possession Of Marijuana Worth $40M

Zimbabwe Republic Police has revealed that they have arrested 2 men both from Zaka for possession with the intention to distribute 20 kgs of Marijuana, New Zimbabwe reports.
According to the publication, Lovemore Bhlayani (42) of Mashingaidze village Chief Ndanga in Zaka and Nhamo Nyararai (46) of Tinarwo village under Chief Nhema in Zaka were arrested at Rimbi Business Center in Chipinge following a tip-off that the duo purchased the drugs in Mwangadzi.
Provincial deputy police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident and said:
<blockquote>On February 19, officers at Chisumbanje police station received information that the suspects were travelling to collect dagga in the area.
Around 8pm, police reacted to the information and travelled to Mwangadzi in Rimbi. After travelling some 4km towards Mwangadzi river, the officers met a black Toyota Corolla with two occupants.
They stopped the vehicle and Bhlayani who was driving pulled over. They searched the vehicle and discovered three 20 kilogramme bags of dagga hidden in the boot. They were arrested and taken to Chisumbanje police station,</blockquote>
The arrest of the duo comes <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/12/chisumbanje-trio-caught-with-2-3t-of-mbanje-cannabis/">barely a fortnight after ZRP arrested another gang</a> for illegally possessing over 2 tonnes of marijuana.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/peddlers-nabbed-with-bags-of-mbanje-in-chisumbanje/">New Zimbabwe</a>

ZRP Arrests 2 Zaka Men For Marijuana Possession

A <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Masvingo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Masvingo</a> man was on Tuesday arrested by police officers on patrol in Mucheke after he was found in possession of 10kg of marijuana worth over $2 000.
Michael Muzembi fled to his house where he locked himself up after he had encountered the police patrol team in the suburb.
The officers pursued him to his house where they waited by the door until he came out.
Muzembi confessed that he had fled the officers because he was a <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mbanje" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mbanje</a> peddler. After searching the house, the officers found 3,649kg under the bed, 5.833kg in the toilet and 1,503kg of the drug in his VW Golf car.
The accused implicated his relatives, Charlene Kutadza (24) and Albertina Muzembi (33).
The trio was expected to appear in court to answer to charges of being illegally in possession of the mbanje.
<h4>More: <a href="http://newziana.co.zw/2019/10/11/entire-family-arrested-for-mbanje/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZiana</a></h4>

3 Family Members Arrested Over 10kg Mbanje Booty

A 27-year-old man was recently arrested by police in Nyanga after he was found in possession of marijuana (dagga) weighing more than 600kg with a street value of $1 million.
The drugs were stashed in a Nissan Caravan and had been smuggled from Mozambique through illegal entry points.
The vehicle had two occupants, Tinashe Tapera who is now in police custody and an accomplice who is still at large.
In an interview with Manica Post, Manicaland police spokesman Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said:
<blockquote>Police in Ruwangwe received a tip-off from their counterparts in Mutare that there was a car which was transporting 25 sacks of 90kg marijuana from Mozambique to an unknown destination.
Acting on the tip-off, Officer-in-Charge for Ruwange, Inspector Bere assigned his subordinates led by Seargent Panketi.
They made a follow-up and intercepted the vehicle, a Nissan Caravan, registration Number AEU 8376, at Kaitano Primary School.
While at the scene, they searched and discovered the contraband.
However, the two suspects dumped the vehicle and vanished into a nearby bush.</blockquote>
Tapera was arrested after he attempted to bribe detectives with US$1 000 cash. He was lured into a trap and was arrested while trying to hand over the money.
<h4>More:<a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/man-nabbed-with-1m-dagga/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Manica Post</a></h4>

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