Crime and Courts
“Twumbwa” trade uncovered: police urge public to whistle blow on fake alcohol syndicates
By Itai Mazire and Nigel Pfunde
A tightly-knit syndicate comprising rogue police officers and illicit beer sellers dubbed “Twumbwa” is under scrutiny with allegations that the two parties are working in cahoots.
Hurumende News can exclusively reveal that police units are allegedly turning a blind eye and getting kickbacks to allow the sale of beer in various areas of the city centre.
A week-long investigation by Hurumende News observed that “twumbwa” are being sold at bus termini, liquor shops, boutiques, downtown tuckshops and along streets and avenues in the capital city.
During the investigation, we observed that several police bases dotted around the city centre are near these places of sale.
Undercover investigations established that the ‘epicentres’ of this rot are Roadport bus terminus, shop operators operating along the street are illegally selling illicit brews under the guise of operating agent-registered shops for a big telecoms company (name withheld).
The other hotspot is located along George Silundika and Sam Nujoma Avenue, where purported recharge card (airtime) vendors trade the illicit brews, which come in a wide variety.
Copacabana is the chief oasis of the trade in illicit beer trade. Here, kombi operators, fruit vendors, forex dealers, and touts are used as pawns by a well-orchestrated syndicate led by ‘chefs’ who also work with rogue Zimra officials.
The White House, located at the corner of Cameroon and Chinhoyi streets, is also another hub popularly known as ‘pabase’ in street lingua, and uniformed police have been spotted utilising that facility.
“A stitch in time saves nine. We are worried. I run a boutique underneath Whitehouse, and cases of shoplifting have been on the rise since these people need to fund their habits.
“We are actually drafting a petition to the police for intervention and once we have a sizeable number of signatories, we will present it to the powers that be,” said a shop owner in the vicinity of the ‘house of horror’.
Downtown tuckshops are the sole epicentre suppliers of illicit beers. Thorough investigations revealed that foreign nationals are behind the distribution of “twumbwa” countrywide.
Peddlers of the illicit beers are drawn to Harare downtown to move their contraband around the country.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the long arm of the law will soon bring these culprits to book.
He said rogue officers behind this ring will be nabbed.
“We are appealing to members of the public to share information on such suspected illegal activities,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
The Retailers Association of Zimbabwe president, Denford Mutashu, applauded the government intervention and also opened a can of worms on the manufacturing of counterfeit premium brands in a revelation that implies that the rot is permeating all social strata.
“As CZR, we call upon the authorities to urgently extend the current crackdown to include counterfeit alcoholic beverages, which have become alarmingly widespread across the country. We are particularly concerned about the increasing availability of fake premium brands such as Blue Label, Black Label, Glenfiddich and others, which are being distributed to unsuspecting consumers, especially in urban and peri-urban outlets.
“These illicit products are often manufactured in unregulated environments, with no adherence to safety, hygiene or quality standards and thus expose consumers to serious health risks, including poisoning.
“We further urge authorities to go beyond retailers and wholesalers and intensify investigations into the source of these counterfeit products, including manufacturers, backyard operations, import syndicates and suppliers who are deliberately flooding the market with fake goods for profiteering at the expense of consumers,” fumed Mutashu.
Heartbreaking news has emerged from Norton, where a Grade Seven pupil, who was preparing to sit for her upcoming exams, was tragically mauled to death by dogs.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised urgent concerns about dog attacks in residential areas.
Police National Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the distressing event, emphasizing that investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Over the years, several similar cases have been reported, highlighting recurring issues with stray or uncontrolled dogs in various communities.
In 2021, a young child in Harare suffered severe injuries after being attacked by a pack of dogs, prompting authorities to call for stricter enforcement of animal control laws.
There have been reports of residents living in fear due to aggressive stray dogs roaming neighborhoods.
The Norton incident has reignited calls from community leaders and animal welfare organizations for more robust measures to manage and control dog populations, including vaccination, licensing, and proper containment by owners.
As Zimbabweans mourn the loss of the young girl, the broader conversation about public safety and responsible pet ownership has taken center stage, with hopes that such tragedies can be prevented in the future.
Authorities have appealed to the public to report any dangerous animals and urged dog owners to ensure their pets are securely restrained to avoid further heartbreak.
The investigation into the Norton attack continues, with the community seeking answers and justice for the young victim.
A 13-year-old girl from Nyabira was mauled to death by three vicious dogs in a chilling incident that has left the community in shock and mourning.
The tragic attack occurred on 29 September 2025 at St Mannocks Farm, when the victim, Caroline Chari, was walking home from school with four of her friends. According to police, the children were ambushed by three aggressive dogs, forcing them to scatter in different directions. Unfortunately, the dogs caught up with Caroline and fatally attacked her.
Police have confirmed the arrest of the dogs’ owner, Gift Jambaya (50). Investigations revealed that the animals were last vaccinated in 2024, and the owner failed to comply with the Department of Veterinary Services’ 2025 rabies vaccination programme.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, described the incident as “disturbing and unacceptable,” adding that negligence by dog owners continues to pose a serious threat to public safety.
“It is sad to note that vicious dogs were last vaccinated in 2024, and the owner ignored the 2025 rabies vaccination outreach programme. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is disturbed by the trend of vicious dogs being allowed to roam without a leash or proper control. It is the responsibility of dog owners to protect the public,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
In response, the ZRP has intensified joint operations with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), local authorities, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care to impound stray dogs and penalize irresponsible owners.
The police further urged the public to report individuals who allow dangerous dogs to roam freely in residential areas. Reports can be made through the ZRP Complaints Desk at 0242 703 631 or via WhatsApp on 0712 800 197.
The tragic death of Caroline Chari has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of animal control laws, with community members demanding justice and stronger measures to prevent similar incidents.
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Two 16-year-old male students from Masasi High School in Marange, Manicaland Province, faced charges of gang-r@ping a 17-year-old fellow student when they appeared in Mutare Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
The incident, which has caused significant public anger, was reportedly recorded in a video that spread widely on social media, prompting strong criticism.
The prosecution successfully argued against granting bail, citing the gravity of the crime and the intense public reaction. The court postponed the case to October 14 for further hearings.
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