News / Regional
Tongas not exempt from drug laws
06 May 2014 at 09:12hrs | Views
THE belief that certain tribal groups in Zimbabwe are exempt from laws that prohibit the taking of dangerous drugs like dagga is nothing but just a myth, a senior police detective told B-Metro during the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
In an interview, a police detective attached to the CID Drugs and Narcotics section, who however, preferred anonymity, said that contrary to popular belief that groups such as the Tonga, from Binga district in Matabeleland North Province, were allowed to take drugs such as mbanje for traditional purposes is not true.
"That popular belief that the BaTonga are allowed to take drugs such as mbanje for traditional purposes is nothing but just a myth. The law is uniform and applies to all Zimbabweans regardless of a tribal group. There is no exception. But the problem we have as police officers to deal with drug pushers in Binga, is that villagers who are supposed to be whistle-blowers are afraid to work with the police as they live as a closely-knit family," he said.
He said in Zimbabwe there was no real connection between ethnic groups and the type of drugs used, but rather it was a question of availability and the ability to afford the particular drug.
On display at the ZRP stand were different types of drugs such as narcotics, mandrax, cocaine, broncleer, a cough syrup commonly known as ngoma among others.
The police detective said while narcotics served as painkillers, they were also highly addictive, to the extent that once a user stopped using them, withdrawal symptoms would develop, and would automatically go away once the user resumed the drug.
He told members of the public that narcotics tended to make a user disorientated in himself or herself, family, appearance and often resorted to thieving in order to support the addictive habit.
"Some of these drugs have medicinal values, but they must be kept under strict control, as some of them cause euphoria, disorientation, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, or even drowsiness. Hallucinogens could cause insanity, nightmares and could impair a person's judgment of time and distance".
In an interview, a police detective attached to the CID Drugs and Narcotics section, who however, preferred anonymity, said that contrary to popular belief that groups such as the Tonga, from Binga district in Matabeleland North Province, were allowed to take drugs such as mbanje for traditional purposes is not true.
"That popular belief that the BaTonga are allowed to take drugs such as mbanje for traditional purposes is nothing but just a myth. The law is uniform and applies to all Zimbabweans regardless of a tribal group. There is no exception. But the problem we have as police officers to deal with drug pushers in Binga, is that villagers who are supposed to be whistle-blowers are afraid to work with the police as they live as a closely-knit family," he said.
He said in Zimbabwe there was no real connection between ethnic groups and the type of drugs used, but rather it was a question of availability and the ability to afford the particular drug.
On display at the ZRP stand were different types of drugs such as narcotics, mandrax, cocaine, broncleer, a cough syrup commonly known as ngoma among others.
The police detective said while narcotics served as painkillers, they were also highly addictive, to the extent that once a user stopped using them, withdrawal symptoms would develop, and would automatically go away once the user resumed the drug.
He told members of the public that narcotics tended to make a user disorientated in himself or herself, family, appearance and often resorted to thieving in order to support the addictive habit.
"Some of these drugs have medicinal values, but they must be kept under strict control, as some of them cause euphoria, disorientation, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, or even drowsiness. Hallucinogens could cause insanity, nightmares and could impair a person's judgment of time and distance".
Source - B-Metro
