Alvina Chibhamu - International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

 26 June 2021

Drug abuse is life-threatening and the most problematic cause of death in the world. It impacts millions and need to be treated carefully to prevent further harm coming to people and steer them to lead a better life. As we commemorate World Drug Day, this year‘s theme is #ShareFactsOnDrugs to #SaveLives, focusing on the importance of awareness of the effects on drugs and the dangers thereof, how to prevent, treat and care for people with substance abuse.

Where progressive countries’ governments are doing something- putting measures to curb drug and substance abuse such as prohibition fares, webinars organised by the police, drug abuse talks from experts, counselling for people and young adults in addiction centres in a bid to ensure a sound rehabilitation of people suffering from substance abuse. In Zimbabwe however, the police and securty agents are complicit. They are the chielf perpetrators of corruption, receiving bribes from drug lords and drug rings not to arrest them, a sad state of affairs. Zimbabwe’s economic crisis, along with the Covid19 pandemic, has exacerbated the drug abuse epidemic as people have lost their will to live, as long as Zanu-PF government in still in place. This very government, supposed to look out for its people are responsible for looting funds meant for their welfare, to repair the nearly non-existent healthcare system. Consequently, the increased drug and substance abuse causes a rise in social problem in most cities, with the youth milling the streets, high teenage pregnancy, increased exposure to HIV?AIDS, addicts indulging their drug habit by engaging in petty crime.

Covid-19 pandemic saw an increase in the number of drug use as people struggled to cope in the lockdown. People who previously used drugs and those with drug-use disorders were particularly vulnerable. The combination of the two caused an accelerated shift in the pre-existing trafficking dynamics across the whole global drug market. During the Covid-19 pandemic however, the increased prominence of technology helped with innovations developing new ways to treat people with drug-use disorders. But many people from low-income countries, particularly in Africa, do not have access to controlled medicine. We must forge for greater international co-operation, let us all continue bridging the digital divide to extend the benefits of technology to all.

The abuse of drugs and illicit trafficking is a huge loophole in the systems of many countries, many lives have been lost and or destroyed because of it. We need to work on bridging the gap between what is happening now and provision of a global ‘health for all’. Let us all play a role in overcoming the “World Drug” problem by educating the youth about the potential health risks of drug use and raising awareness -know the facts and be in good stead to :

#SayNoToDrugs

#ShareFactsOnDrugs

#SaveLives

#WDD2021

 Author: Alvina Chibhamu is a human rights activist and the Secretary of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe’s UK Chapter. She is based in the United Kingdom and can be contacted by email on alvina80@yahoo.com

 

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking - 26 June 2021

By Vongayi Mufara

26th June 2021

The 26^th of June every year marks The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. It is a day to share research findings, evidence-based data, and lifesaving facts. It is a day set aside for the international society to continue tapping into a shared spirit of solidarity, among other things. The theme for 2021 is “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives”.

With many young people battling drug addiction in the world, drug abuse among the youth in Zimbabwe has reached alarming crisis levels with the number of youths engaging in drug abuse increasing yearly. Economic hardships and the outbreak of Covid19 pandemic highly contributed to the country’s growing drug abuse problems. Approximately 94% of the Zimbabwean population is unemployed and the economic conditions continue to shrink leaving the youth unemployed with nothing productive to engage in, driving them to using drugs. When the Covid19 pandemic lockdown started in March 2020, it left most school-going children not going to school. The Zimbabwean government did not put any measures in place to make sure that children continue to engage in educational activities. Most scholars around the world engaged in online learning and online social activities but sadly, this was not the situation in Zimbabwe-no provisions were made. Most school going age children would be seen roaming the streets and engaging in unpleasant activities such as drug abuse and teenage sex.

According to most locals and parents, crystal methamphetamine popularly known as “guka makafela” or “mutoriro”, among other drugs such as codeine which is a cough-based syrup are brought into the country by cross boarder smugglers from South Africa. The Zimbabwean government does not police the entirety of the boarders and chose to turn a blind eye, collect bribes and allow the drugs to penetrate our boarders. Locals know drug dealers in their communities and have also approached the Police, but it is believed that the distributors are bribing the security forces to turn a blind eye to these activities. These drugs remain unaffordable to the average person and yet despite the steep cost people still manage to purchase these highly addictive drugs so they can just while up time and numb the pain brought about by the poverty situation.

Young people who persistently abuse substances often experience an array of problems which include academic issues, health related problems and even drug related deaths. Declining grades, absenteeism from school and potential dropouts of school is the current situation in Zimbabwe. Health related problems like the transmission of HIV/AIDS are very common as many substance-abusing youth engage in behaviours that places them at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. Despite the collapsing economy, there has been more drug related crimes in Zimbabwe and if measures to curb drug misuse are not put in place, Zimbabwe will be counted among the leading drug trafficking countries.

Zimbabwe’s health system has been found wanting. The hospitals cannot treat drug addicts and do not have the facilities and resources like rehabilitation centres. This causes the situation to continue unabated. Drug induced mental health issues are now commonplace. Most drug users’ relapse when they go back to the townships where they have nothing to do and are peer-pressured to start abusing drugs. The situation continues to worsen as the government turns a blind eye and continue to loot public funds meant for hospitals and rehabilitation centres. The few private owned rehabilitation centres are expensive, especially for the young unemployed people in townships.

I call upon the Zimbabwean government to play a constructive role in acting against drug trade in the country. Not only in the interest of its state institutions, but in the long-term interest of the wellbeing of its own people. The Zimbabwean government should dedicate and avail resources to counter drug trafficking to avoid the longer-term consequences of continued demand for drugs which is currently being facilitated by the current socio-economic conditions which the traffickers are currently riding on. The Zimbabwean government should start discussions and debate in parliament on how to prevent drug trafficking and drug related health issues and death. I call upon the government to allocate funding to promote recovery and mitigate the harm that is caused by drugs in the community.

According to the 2021 world drug report by 2030 demographic factors project the number of people using drugs to rise by 40% in Africa alone. Drug trafficking is a regional and international crisis. It requires cooperation with other nations. Zimbabwe should develop policies which improves its relationships with its neighbours and the larger international community. It should start working with neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana to develop modern infrastructure which makes drug smuggling difficult. I would recommend the Zimbabwean Government to take the lead.

We can tackle the drug problem in Zimbabwe if we work together.

#ShareFactsOnDrugs

#SaveLives

#WDD2021

 

About the author

Vongayi Mufara is a prominent Zimbabwean human rights activist and the Secretary for Information & Publicity for the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. She is also the Organizing Secretary for the Scotland Branch of the UK Chapter of ROHR Zimbabwe. She writes in her personal capacity in this instance.
She can be contacted by email; - vongayimufara@gmail.com

ROHR Zimbabwe activists participate in “These Walls Must Fall” Campaign re-launch in Manchester event – 19th May 2021.

20th June 2021

One of the main human rights issues facing our activists in the UK is the rough journey most have to travel in the fight for the right to asylum, which is a human right in accordance with article 14 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

The journey is fraught with obstacles underpinned by a deliberate policy by government to create a hostile environment for asylum seekers and refugees in particular and other classes of immigrants in general.

Whilst ROHR Zimbabwe’s core business is the fight for human rights in Zimbabwe, our activists often find themselves having to extend their fight to universal human rights issues and platforms.

One such platform is the campaign for the abolition of detention as a form of immigration control.

Detention serves no purpose other than to destroy the lives of those affected. It costs the taxpayer huge sums annually and yet it still does not achieve what it is purported to exist for.

When some of our activists got wind of the UK wide “These Walls Must Fall” (T.W.M.F) campaign, they decided to join the campaign and some took up positions of responsibility in the campaign.

One such is Magadaline (Maggy) Moyo who took up the role of Organizer for Manchester for “T.W.M.F.” under the employment and tutelage of Right to Remain and Detention Action.

Magadaline (Maggy) Moyo set about mobilising various migrant community groups and individuals in Manchester and environs. This resulted in community groups and activists coming together to relaunch the campaign in Manchester culminating in the virtual re-launch event on Zoom in the evening on Wednesday 19^th May 2021.

Also directly involved in the mobilization for the re-launch event were other ROHR Zimbabwe activists Vengai Mutsawu, Nontokozo Malaba Ncube and Mavis Harrison (Tshuma) and activists from other countries like Uganda, Kenya, Pakistan and Nigeria just to name a few.

The re-launch event was also supported by “T.W.M.F.” campaigners from neighbouring Liverpool, Sheffield and South Yorkshire whose Organizers Rosie Huzzard and Veecka Smith helped coordinate this re-launch event.

The event was very lively with Vengai Mutsawu, Nontokozo Malaba Ncube and Mavis Harrison (Tshuma) sharing their touching personal experiences and urging activists to unite in the fight for the abolition of detention for immigration purposes. Many other activists from different nationalities also shared their stories.

Guest speakers at the re-launch event were Afzal Khan - MP for Manchester Gorton, Jane Traies – author, researcher and campaigner, Phillip Jones – campaigner and Founder of First Wednesday and Panyika Anselm Karimanzira a Board member and spokesperson for ROHR Zimbabwe and former Management Committee member of Right to Remain (RtR).

One of the Masters of Ceremony, Rosie Huzzard, when introducing one of the speakers, Panyika Karimanzira, alluded to the past successful campaigns run by ROHR Zimbabwe some of which led to the issues being debated in the House of Commons of the British Parliament as an example of how campaigns can produce results.

A solicitor from GMIAU, Ryan Bestford also spoke at the event.

The event concluded at a high note with a common resolve to unite and consolidate the “These Walls Must Fall” campaign in Manchester and to use it as a common platform to fight for the abolition of detention as a tool in immigration control and to fight against the unjust treatment of people seeking asylum.

By Information & Publicity Department
Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

Crocodile tears – by Thabani Muleya Dube

20th June 2021

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa never ceases to amaze, albeit for the wrong reasons. He has this amazing affinity for the wrong company, all in pursuit of glory. The Twabams of this world if you know what I mean.

Then this penchant to pursue glory even at the expense of families in mourning. Remember the “cool mortuary” moment in KweKwe a year or so ago where he proudly offered a price for the first family to put a corpse in a refurbished morgue. Talk of a moral pervert. An unscrupulous zealot. A man without a conscience.

Then there was this zeal he displayed over the passing on of Soul Musaka, the youthful Zimbabwean musician popularly known as Soul Jah Love in February this year.

Who will awaken the power drunk Government of our dear nation, Zimbabwe from their loot induced slumber?  Sleep walking in the corridors of plenty having forsaken their high calling of shielding a highly troubled nation, a calling  solemnly answered to  in not so far yester years  of sobriety. A high pitched cymbal!

On the matter of corpses in refurbished morgues, surely the solution is to address the issues that lead to the high mortality rate and reduced life expectancy in our nation. In the case of Soul Jah Love what was needed was practical support for him and all those suffering from his medical condition whilst he was still alive. THE YOUNG PROMISING ARTIST DID NOT NEED TO DIE. HE NEEDED INSULIN. In a well-governed country, all he would have done was to ring emergency services on a dedicated number at his time of need and he would have been saved.

Same applies to the famous victims of fire following the Road traffic accident enroute to Domboshava. Yes I mean the late wealthy Ginimbi. In a well governed country, fire services would have been at the scene in time to save those poor souls who died a horrible death in the localised inferno. Same applies to the thousands who perish in road traffic accidents every year due to the poor state of our roads.

The same rationale can be applied to victims of the pandemic. The irony of this is it can happen to anyone any time. Jetting to China may be an inaccessible privilege sometimes. It might come too late for some. Life has a way of proving how linear we are in the equation of existence. Just thinking.

Back to the matter of Soul Jah Love, I question the logic of spending so much on his burial and conferment of such a heroic burial. It can only be because E.D. Mnangagwa sought to get political mileage out of a sad situation. “Kusanyara – ukungabi lenhloni” as they would say in vernacular. Mobilising thousands of citizens to the event in the middle of a pandemic. I wonder how much that cost the state coffers. I also wonder how much insulin would have been purchased to prevent this from happening to someone else. Some governments in the progressive world have taken over the treatment bill for diabetes from their citizens to sustain lives. In Zimbabwe this is wishful thinking – a pipe dream under a ZANU-PF led government which has a penchant for pursuing power at any cost at the expense of its meek citizenry.

E.D. Mnangagwa’s moral compass is evidently broken. Given a chance, he can feast whilst sitting on top of corpses. It’s not beyond him.

If there was to be a prize for nutters, E.D. Mnangagwa would take it. He has no competition in that space.

About the author:-

Thabani Muleya Dube is a Zimbabwean human rights activist and the Chairperson of the South Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe and writes in her personal capacity in this instance.

She can be contacted by email; - tabb2mly@yahoo.co.uk