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Drug crisis a national emergency Mutsonziwa demands tougher action in court
3 hrs ago |
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Deputy Prosecutor General Nelson Mutsonziwa has declared drug and substance abuse a national emergency threatening Zimbabwe's social fabric and called for tougher, fairer, and more consistent rulings from the justice system.
On behalf of Prosecutor General Hon Loyce Matanda-Moyo at the launch of a training workshop for Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Courts in Harare, Mutsonziwa warned that the country could not afford leniency in handling drug offences.
"We are at a critical juncture that demands a united, strategic, and firm response," he told prosecutors, magistrates, and other stakeholders.
He painted a grim picture of the crisis, saying drug and substance abuse was destroying families, overwhelming rehabilitation centres, and robbing young people of their future.
"These statistics are not just numbers they are a reflection of the deep scars being inflicted on our communities," he said, citing global data that 3.3 million people die annually from drug-related causes.
The Deputy Prosecutor General also addressed the recent controversy over the sentencing of nine foreign nationals convicted of cocaine possession, who were fined US$150 each and deported.
"Where outcomes produce perceptions of inconsistency or leniency, we must ask ourselves whether our laws, policies, training, and way of doing things are aligned with the delivery of equitable justice that is both fair and seen to be fair," he said.
While reminding the public that judicial independence must be preserved, he stressed that fairness and transparency were key to maintaining confidence.
"The legitimacy of our institutions depends not only on the law we apply, but on how fairly and transparently we apply it," he said.
Mutsonziwa praised Chief Justice Luke Malaba for convening the training, calling it "timely and necessary."
He said the establishment of Anti-Drug Courts represented a decisive step in aligning judicial and prosecutorial strategies to the crisis.
"The magistrates and prosecutors in this room are the vanguard of this new initiative," he said, urging them to restore trust through professionalism and consistency.
Civil society groups echoed the call, Ms Patience Dube, a community activist working with recovering addicts in Mbare, said families were desperate for tougher measures against traffickers.
"Parents are losing their children daily to drugs and Communities want to see strong deterrent sentences for suppliers, while users especially youths must be helped through rehabilitation," she said.
Health experts have also warned that drug use among Zimbabwean youths has surged, recent survey by the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN) estimated that at least 60% of psychiatric admissions in the country are now linked to substance abuse, with crystal meth ("mutoriro") leading the trend.
Mutsonziwa insisted that prosecutors must take sentencing seriously.
"Prosecutors are called upon to submit weighty, well-researched, and compelling submissions on sentence and not simply leave the sentencing to the discretion of the court," he said.
He added that light fines sent the wrong signal to traffickers and devalued the lives of victims.
He said balance in the justice system zero tolerance for suppliers and traffickers, but rehabilitative justice for addicted youths.
"Drug and substance abuse affects not just the user, but the entire family unit," he said, stressing that recovery depended on community support.
The Deputy Prosecutor General outlined commitments from the National Prosecuting Authority, including deploying experienced prosecutors to Anti-Drug Courts, supporting training for stakeholders, and strengthening community awareness.
He reaffirmed the national prosecuting Authority (NPA)'s duty to prosecute without fear or favour, saying it was "unwavering in its commitment to combat crime and corruption effectively and efficiently."
"Let us not be defined by the mistakes of the past, but by our collective and unwavering commitment to a just, secure, and peaceful society," he said.
"Together, we will uphold the rule of law and send an unequivocal message to all who seek to poison our society with dangerous substances," he added.
On behalf of Prosecutor General Hon Loyce Matanda-Moyo at the launch of a training workshop for Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Courts in Harare, Mutsonziwa warned that the country could not afford leniency in handling drug offences.
"We are at a critical juncture that demands a united, strategic, and firm response," he told prosecutors, magistrates, and other stakeholders.
He painted a grim picture of the crisis, saying drug and substance abuse was destroying families, overwhelming rehabilitation centres, and robbing young people of their future.
"These statistics are not just numbers they are a reflection of the deep scars being inflicted on our communities," he said, citing global data that 3.3 million people die annually from drug-related causes.
The Deputy Prosecutor General also addressed the recent controversy over the sentencing of nine foreign nationals convicted of cocaine possession, who were fined US$150 each and deported.
"Where outcomes produce perceptions of inconsistency or leniency, we must ask ourselves whether our laws, policies, training, and way of doing things are aligned with the delivery of equitable justice that is both fair and seen to be fair," he said.
While reminding the public that judicial independence must be preserved, he stressed that fairness and transparency were key to maintaining confidence.
"The legitimacy of our institutions depends not only on the law we apply, but on how fairly and transparently we apply it," he said.
Mutsonziwa praised Chief Justice Luke Malaba for convening the training, calling it "timely and necessary."
He said the establishment of Anti-Drug Courts represented a decisive step in aligning judicial and prosecutorial strategies to the crisis.
"The magistrates and prosecutors in this room are the vanguard of this new initiative," he said, urging them to restore trust through professionalism and consistency.
"Parents are losing their children daily to drugs and Communities want to see strong deterrent sentences for suppliers, while users especially youths must be helped through rehabilitation," she said.
Health experts have also warned that drug use among Zimbabwean youths has surged, recent survey by the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN) estimated that at least 60% of psychiatric admissions in the country are now linked to substance abuse, with crystal meth ("mutoriro") leading the trend.
Mutsonziwa insisted that prosecutors must take sentencing seriously.
"Prosecutors are called upon to submit weighty, well-researched, and compelling submissions on sentence and not simply leave the sentencing to the discretion of the court," he said.
He added that light fines sent the wrong signal to traffickers and devalued the lives of victims.
He said balance in the justice system zero tolerance for suppliers and traffickers, but rehabilitative justice for addicted youths.
"Drug and substance abuse affects not just the user, but the entire family unit," he said, stressing that recovery depended on community support.
The Deputy Prosecutor General outlined commitments from the National Prosecuting Authority, including deploying experienced prosecutors to Anti-Drug Courts, supporting training for stakeholders, and strengthening community awareness.
He reaffirmed the national prosecuting Authority (NPA)'s duty to prosecute without fear or favour, saying it was "unwavering in its commitment to combat crime and corruption effectively and efficiently."
"Let us not be defined by the mistakes of the past, but by our collective and unwavering commitment to a just, secure, and peaceful society," he said.
"Together, we will uphold the rule of law and send an unequivocal message to all who seek to poison our society with dangerous substances," he added.
Source - Byo24News
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