Itai Mazire
Health and Child Care Minister Hon. Dr Douglas Mombeshora yesterday revealed that drug and substance abuse has become one of the major social and health challenges affecting the nation’s youths, as the government scrambles to expand rehabilitation services nationwide.
With 15 rehabilitation centres currently operational across the country, Dr Mombeshora disclosed that a staggering 138 additional facilities have been identified for renovation, in what authorities describe as a massive drive to improve access to treatment and recovery services.
The announcement comes as Zimbabwe records 382 drug and substance abuse survivors successfully reintegrated into their families and communities during the first quarter of 2026, following treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
The expanded rehabilitation push follows a spate of high-profile police busts that have exposed the depth of the narcotics trade in the country:
Police in Plumtree intercepted a Toyota Quantum vehicle on 15 February, 2026, arresting Msawenkosi Ndlovu (49) and Vengai Chawa (41) for unlawful possession of large quantities of cough syrup, seizing 5,124 bottles of Bron Cleer and 4,170 bottles of Astra Pain cough syrup valued at USD 80 000.
In a major anti-narcotics operation, police intercepted two suspected drug traffickers along the busy Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway on 27 February, 2026, seizing more than half a tonne ((529.6 kilogrammes) of mbanje concealed beneath a consignment of corn snacks and onions.
More than 28 drug dealers and peddlers have been arrested in separate incidents during ongoing operations, with police busting a syndicate comprising 11 suspects, including both men and women, who were allegedly trafficking approximately 200 kilogrammes of dagga cleverly packaged to resemble blankets to evade detection.
“Drug and substance abuse remains one of the major social and health challenges affecting communities, particularly among young people,” said Dr Mombeshora adding that government has expanded rehabilitation services as part of efforts to tackle the growing problem.
He further stated that “15 rehabilitation centres are currently operational across the country, while 138 additional facilities have been identified for renovation to improve access to treatment and recovery services”.
Meanwhile, addressing Ebola preparedness, Dr Mombeshora Minister confirmed that Zimbabwe has no reported Ebola cases but remains on high alert due to the regional outbreak.
Authorities are strengthening preparedness systems to ensure potential threats are detected and contained quickly.
