MPs Call for Action Against Foreigners Involved in Drug Dealing

By Leeroy Willie

Members of Parliament in Zimbabwe have called for action against foreigners involved in drug trafficking and have urged their deportation.

The call was made by Member of Parliament Hon. T. Pinduka during a National Assembly session at the Parliament of Zimbabwe yesterday.

He rises on a point of national interest regarding a growing threat to our national health, security, economic growth, and social stability.

“Firstly, I want to appreciate what His Excellency the President, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, has done by launching the Zimbabwe Multisectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024–2030, which provides a clear outline of our policy direction on the scourge of drug and substance abuse.

“With regard to the recent arrests and the subsequent lenient sentencing of foreign nationals found in possession of dangerous drugs, specifically cocaine, as outlined in the Dangerous Drugs Act and SI-167 of 2024,” said Hon. Pinduka, “anyone found dealing, selling, supplying, or abusing dangerous drugs under this law should face a minimum imprisonment of 15 years, up to 25 years, with fines ranging from $700,000 to $5,000 for level 10 offences.

“We call for an appeal against the recent judgment where foreign nationals were fined only USD $150 for possession of dangerous drugs. We further propose the immediate deportation of these foreign nationals, who are ‘bad apples’ among us,” Hon. Pinduka added.

Hon. Pinduka described such individuals as “bad apples,” stressing that they would never engage in such criminal activities in their own countries.