International Day Against Drug Abuse – Reflection – by Renee Brenda Langa

26^th June 2024

Today, the 26^th of June, is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking so, designated by the United Nations way back on the 7th of December 1987.

As a grieving member of the Zimbabwean community, my heart aches deeply over the devastation caused by drug abuse.  Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa's leadership has not only fallen short in tackling this crisis effectively but seems hell-bent on perpetuating it for political and financial gain.

Political gain in the sense that a disoriented youth has neither time nor focus to challenge the government's
shortcomings. A youth who is constantly under the spell of drugs becomes insensitive to the hardships caused by our corrupt and irresponsible government led by Emmerson Mnangagwa. Constantly dazed, the youth become submissive to authoritative rule and indifferent to the politics of the country.

Financial gain in the sense that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tentacles have spread into the illicit drug “industry”, acting as a supplier through his proxies, including family members and well-known individuals in the armed forces. He benefits directly from the suffering of our youths.

We mourn as grandparents who have lost our beloved grandchildren, as parents who have lost our beloved children, as children who have lost our beloved parents, as siblings who have lost beloved brothers and sisters and as friends who have lost dear friends to drug addiction and all its perils. Our cries echo not just in our native language but in the collective pain of a nation betrayed by the political elite’s greed and lack of decisive action. We plead for justice, for support, and for our leaders to hear our voices and take bold steps to heal our communities from this scourge of drug abuse.

In Zimbabwe, mothers who have lost their children to drug abuse often express profound grief and devastation. For example, many are heartbroken by the loss of promising futures for their children, who once showed great potential. They speak of the deep emotional and psychological scars left by these tragedies, feeling a mix of guilt, anger, and helplessness. One Zimbabwean mother shared how drug abuse turned her once hardworking and well-behaved child into someone unrecognisable, obsessed with finding their next fix.

The community, too, struggles with the betrayal from familiar faces who deal in these lethal substances. Reports have surfaced implicating  Sean Mnangagwa, the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in drug-related activities, including the distribution of crystal methamphetamine (mutoriro) in Zimbabwe. These allegations are especially troubling given the widespread impact of drug abuse on the community, particularly among the youth. The involvement of high-profile individuals in drug trafficking adds a layer of complexity and frustration for those affected by the epidemic.

It is particularly frustrating and painful when those in power or their relatives or connections are contributing to the problem with impunity.

But then again, what do you expect from a president who is willing to unleash an army upon defenceless citizens with instructions to shoot to kill?

About the author
Renee Brenda Langa is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is the Secretary for Information & Publicity for the Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe.  She can be contacted by email at reneelanga378@gmail.com OR renee.langa@rohr-zimbabwe.org