News / National
Chief bans njengu, threatens 10-goat fines
1 hr ago |
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Enqameni Chief Khulumani Mathema has banned the sale and consumption of illicit beer known as Njengu in his area, warning offenders that they face traditional fines of up to 10 goats.
The traditional leader has given sellers until September 10 to stop trading the brew, after which he said he would begin arresting and penalising offenders.
"From September 10 onwards, I will be arresting the offenders," Chief Mathema said.
Sellers will face fines ranging from five to 10 goats, while those caught drinking Njengu will be fined three goats or more. Community members who report offenders will receive a goat as a reward.
"Njengu must stop in Enqameni. I do not want to hear about it at all," the chief said.
He also announced an immediate crackdown on illegal shebeens, warning that operators found violating the directive would be expelled from the community.
"Once found, your punishment will be expulsion from the community. You have to go away and do that madness," he said.
The chief's campaign, dubbed "Not in My Village", seeks to mobilise communities against illicit alcohol and drug abuse.
Chief Mathema said youth unemployment and limited economic opportunities were contributing to substance abuse, with many young people being affected by circumstances beyond their control.
"Those who supply the brew are well connected and have power," he said, warning that the country was "losing a generation" to substance abuse.
His intervention comes after the National Aids Council warned that Zimbabwe risks losing a generation to drug and substance abuse while dwindling resources threaten progress in the fight against HIV.
Nac Bulawayo provincial manager Sinatra Nyathi said the country was in the "last mile" towards achieving its 2030 HIV targets but faced significant challenges.
"We need to really work outside the box for us to meet the 2030 targets," Nyathi said.
Nyathi also raised concerns over the sustainability of condom supplies and increasing drug use among young people.
She said the situation had become so serious that some schools had resorted to using trained dogs to detect drugs among pupils.
"If schools have to use trained dogs to sniff drugs, then these are private schools that are expensive, and we are expecting that at least the behaviour should be better," she said.
The traditional leader has given sellers until September 10 to stop trading the brew, after which he said he would begin arresting and penalising offenders.
"From September 10 onwards, I will be arresting the offenders," Chief Mathema said.
Sellers will face fines ranging from five to 10 goats, while those caught drinking Njengu will be fined three goats or more. Community members who report offenders will receive a goat as a reward.
"Njengu must stop in Enqameni. I do not want to hear about it at all," the chief said.
He also announced an immediate crackdown on illegal shebeens, warning that operators found violating the directive would be expelled from the community.
"Once found, your punishment will be expulsion from the community. You have to go away and do that madness," he said.
The chief's campaign, dubbed "Not in My Village", seeks to mobilise communities against illicit alcohol and drug abuse.
Chief Mathema said youth unemployment and limited economic opportunities were contributing to substance abuse, with many young people being affected by circumstances beyond their control.
"Those who supply the brew are well connected and have power," he said, warning that the country was "losing a generation" to substance abuse.
His intervention comes after the National Aids Council warned that Zimbabwe risks losing a generation to drug and substance abuse while dwindling resources threaten progress in the fight against HIV.
Nac Bulawayo provincial manager Sinatra Nyathi said the country was in the "last mile" towards achieving its 2030 HIV targets but faced significant challenges.
"We need to really work outside the box for us to meet the 2030 targets," Nyathi said.
Nyathi also raised concerns over the sustainability of condom supplies and increasing drug use among young people.
She said the situation had become so serious that some schools had resorted to using trained dogs to detect drugs among pupils.
"If schools have to use trained dogs to sniff drugs, then these are private schools that are expensive, and we are expecting that at least the behaviour should be better," she said.
Source - Southern Eye
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