Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and Prosecutor-General Loyce Matanda-Moyo have acknowledged growing public anger over inconsistent sentencing for drug offenders, particularly foreign nationals. The remarks follow a controversial case in Harare where nine foreigners caught with cocaine were fined just US$150 each, sparking widespread criticism.
Speaking at an Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Courts training programme in Harare, Ziyambi said the backlash highlighted the urgent need for specialized courts staffed by officers trained to handle drug-related cases. “Public outcry is not an attack on the objectivity of judicial officers, but rather an indication of the need for dedicated courts managed by specially trained officers,” he said. He added that such courts would focus adequate resources on drug offences, providing “a robust platform for their transparent determination and effective resolution.”
Justice Matanda-Moyo, whose remarks were read by her deputy Nelson Mutsonziwa, said the public reaction reflected deep concern over fairness. “Public scrutiny reminds us that the legitimacy of our institutions depends not only on the law we apply, but on how fairly and transparently we apply it,” she said.
The officials warned that Zimbabwe faces a growing drug crisis, with projections suggesting drug use in Africa will rise by 40% by 2030. Ziyambi said the issue extends beyond law enforcement, noting its “devastating implications for public health, national security, economic productivity, and social stability.”
Both emphasized the need for a dual approach: strict enforcement and prosecution of high-level traffickers, coupled with rehabilitative support for users, especially young people. Matanda-Moyo stressed that justice must be “targeted, effective, and informed,” balancing zero tolerance for suppliers with rehabilitation for those battling addiction.
Source – online
