Zimbabwe’s criminal justice system is intensifying efforts to combat the rising tide of drug and substance abuse, with the establishment of specialized Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Courts at the center of the response.
Speaking at a training workshop in Harare, Prosecutor General Hon. Loyce Matanda-Moyo, in remarks delivered by Deputy Prosecutor General Nelson Mutsonziwa, underscored the urgency of the crisis.
Citing government statistics and global trends, she warned that drug abuse, particularly among Zimbabwe’s youth, is “a threat to the nation’s health, security, economy, and social stability.”
The training comes on the back of the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024–2030), a national strategy approved by Cabinet last year to coordinate interventions across law enforcement, the judiciary, correctional services, health, and community stakeholders.
Matanda-Moyo acknowledged mounting public concern about sentencing outcomes, referencing a recent case where nine foreign nationals convicted of cocaine-related offences were fined US$150 each and deported — a ruling that sparked widespread criticism.
“Where outcomes produce perceptions of inconsistency or leniency, we must ask ourselves whether our laws, policies, training, and practices are aligned with the delivery of equitable justice,” she said.
While defending judicial independence, she emphasized the need for fairness, transparency, and sentences that act as genuine deterrents.
The Prosecutor General outlined a dual strategy for the new courts: a zero-tolerance stance for suppliers and traffickers, coupled with rehabilitative justice for users, especially young people.
“Drug and substance abuse affects not just the user, but the entire family unit. We must be tough on crime but smarter in how we deliver justice,” she said.
The specialized courts are expected to handle cases swiftly, ensuring procedural fairness while reducing public frustration over delays.
Prosecutors were urged to submit “well-researched and compelling” sentencing recommendations to ensure penalties reflect the gravity of offences.
The National Prosecuting Authority pledged to:
- Deploy experienced prosecutors to the Anti-Drug Courts,
- Train all criminal justice stakeholders,
- Support community education campaigns, and
- Apply the law firmly, fairly, and consistently.
“This workshop is not a forum for blame but for building a cohesive framework to confront a grave challenge,” Matanda-Moyo noted. “Together, we can build a drug-free Zimbabwe a nation that protects its youth, upholds justice, and secures its future.”
