By Agenices
HORDES of youths, heeding the clarion call of First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, yesterday led a historic anti-drug march, declaring an end to the social ills ravaging their generation with a clear message, “not anymore”.
The walkathon was also meant to raise awareness on reckless driving, cybercrime, Gender-Based Violence, touting and armed robberies among other crimes.
During the highly-subscribed march, Government announced that the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare already proving highly effective will now serve as a model for the establishment of 67 drug rehabilitation centres across the country.
From the moment the spirited procession set off at the Mbuya Nehanda Statue along Samora Machel Avenue, down Abdul Nasser Road (formerly Rotten Row), across the flyover to Simon Mazorodze Road and finally to the Stodart Netball Complex, the atmosphere was electric.
Along the route, crowds broke into song and dance, praising the First Lady for her tireless leadership in fighting drug and substance abuse, which has destroyed countless lives.
During the march, the First Lady was flanked by her guest, National Chairperson of the Anti-Drugs and Substance Abuse Committee, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, together with several Cabinet ministers, Provincial Ministers of State, and law enforcement agencies.
Youths, church groups, and community leaders walked shoulder to shoulder, united under the call: “No to drugs and a crime-free Zimbabwe.”
They waved placards, chanted slogans and ululated, showering praises on “Mother Zimbabwe” for championing the fight against the scourge of drug and substance abuse.
On arrival at the Stodart Netball Complex, the First Lady led dignitaries on a tour of the state-of-the-art Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre, located adjacent to the arena.
The modern, serene and fully equipped facility stood as a symbol of renewal, offering hope to those battling addiction and their families.
Inside the centre, Dr Mnangagwa shared her vision of a society where communities take collective responsibility in fighting drug abuse.
As the fight against drug and substance abuse intensifies during the anti-drug march law enforcement agencies confiscated 465 boxes of prohibited cough syrup from Bulawayo, 360kg of mbanje, 20 grammes of cocaine, chocolates laced with mbanje, while several arrests were also made.
Indeed, chants echoed through the air, leaving no doubt that the march has ignited a powerful movement one determined not just to fight drugs, but to reclaim the nation’s future through discipline, unity, and hope.
Addressing the bumper crowd, First Lady Dr Mnangagwa, who hosted the event, expressed gratitude to all who attended, emphasising the importance of community involvement in tackling drug and substance abuse as well as other social ills such as armed robberies, gun-toting, rape, sexual assault, reckless driving, cybercrime, touting and even occult rituals (kuromba).
“I am delighted to host you after asking the youths to lead this march, because they are the ones most affected by these social ills. For us to come together as one family shows that we no longer want this in our country,” she said.
“It is my hope that the message has been delivered to our nation and that it will continue to be reiterated through digital platforms,” she added.
Dr Mnangagwa said the campaign brought youths and parents together, walking in unison to raise their voices against social ills affecting communities.
“We marched against the frightening, callous killings now happening in our society, coupled with the scourge of drug and substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, rape, cybercrime, and high divorce rates that are causing suffering among children,” she said.
“To the Ministry of Youth you led this campaign march. Now take it down to all provinces, showing that as youths you are totally against social vices. Not in our country anymore.”
Mother Zimbabwe also condemned the rise in the use of unlicensed firearms in the country, describing it as a taboo in Zimbabwe’s culture.
“Young people even a 21-year-old now have the courage to perform occult rituals in the pursuit of quick riches, creating serious challenges for families and communities. Killing for rituals and other such practices must stop,” she said.
“As women, we are saying no to such issues in our nation. But this requires us to be upright and straightforward in our speech, our dress, and our way of life.
“Let us avoid bad habits such as walking half-naked and excessive drinking, because such behaviour makes it difficult to raise and guide our own children. We must also dedicate quality time to our children.”
The First Lady further urged women to create a “dashboard” to expose drug dealings, while expressing gratitude to all stakeholders and like-minded people who participated in the march, stressing that the spirit of Ubuntu should always prevail.
She also praised law enforcement agencies for their role in fighting the menace of drug and substance abuse through measures such as confiscating illegal drugs.
Guest speaker Muchinguri-Kashiri said the Government is committed to addressing the issue of drug and substance abuse.
“We came together in unity as Government, development partners, communities, the church, civil society, and most importantly, our youth, to lend our voice against the social ills threatening to erode the family fabric of our nation,” she said.
“We commend the astute leadership of our President, Comrade Dr Mnangagwa, whose unwavering dedication has created a safer environment for our citizens through the institution of policies and programmes responding to the pressures of various social ills plaguing our beloved country.”
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri also thanked the First Lady for being the torchbearer in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, the people of our great country, and indeed on my own behalf, I convey our most profound gratitude to our First Lady, Amai Mnangagwa, for her dedication, humility, and practical approach in tackling community challenges through the Angel of Hope Foundation.
“Amai, through the action you have led us in today, you are now the torchbearer in the fight against social vices. We have been given a model rehabilitation centre by the First Lady there is no need to reinvent the wheel. We have come to the fountain,” she said.
Presidential Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, praised Dr Mnangagwa for transforming the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre into the best rehabilitation facility in Zimbabwe.
“National Chair has been urging the nation to follow in the First Lady’s footsteps, and she said that on October 1, each and every province should open its own centre, taking a leaf from the model set by the First Lady,” he said.
Eng Muguti also commended Dr Mnangagwa for leading from the front during the march, describing her as a “very healthy and fit First Lady.”
Health Ministry Chief Director, Dr Stephen Banda representing the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora said they will ensure that the 67 other identified facilities are fully developed into drug rehabilitation centres.
Among them are Chipadze in Bindura, Chinotimba in Victoria Falls, and the Kwekwe Drug Rehabilitation Centre.
Zimbabwe Youth Council chairperson, Rutendo Mugwagwa, pledged that the youths would play their part as custodians of nation-building, always taking inspiration from the First Lady, whom she described as “a supportive and wonderful visionary wife” to the President.
In a speech read on his behalf, Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba said fighting crime was a responsibility shared by all.
“True safety is born out of collective effort in the fight against crime in all its forms and nature. Every citizen has an equal moral obligation to fight crime, just as the police have a legal one.
“This is why community policing is more than just our core philosophy. It is the profound recognition that police and the public are separate partners, united in the common cause of safeguarding our communities,” he said.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Commissioner-General Dr Moses Chihobvu, in a speech read on his behalf, said the march had been a powerful expression of collective commitment and vision for building safer, stronger, and more resilient communities across Zimbabwe.
“As a nation, we are facing an alarming rise in crimes such as armed robberies, sexual assault, cybercrime, touting, and reckless lifestyles, among others.
“What is deeply concerning is that many young offenders who come to our facilities confess that their crimes were committed under the influence of drugs. This alone underscores the devastating impact that drug abuse has left on our youth and society at large,” he said.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume said the Angel of Hope Foundation had helped ease the city’s burden of drug-related problems, allowing council to focus on its core business of service delivery.
“Our residents were always crying because of drugs, and as council, we are grateful for what the Angel of Hope Drug Rehab Centre is doing for us. It is benefiting us as Harare, and we will continue to work with them. The work here has relieved us as council, and also myself as Mayor,” he said.
Mayor Mafume, who is also the leader of the Urban Councils of Zimbabwe, pledged to liaise with fellow mayors to make facilities available for conversion into drug rehabilitation centres.
Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister, Tino Machakaire, also lauded Dr Mnangagwa for taking a bold stance against the moral decay affecting the nation, saying she has saved lives and awakened the nation to the severe dangers of drug abuse.
Part of the drugs that include marijuana (mbanje), cocaine, bronco, chocolates laced with marijuana among other dangerous drigs and substances that were intercepted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police which were displayed after the march against drugs and substance abuse in Mbare, Harare yesterday
Among the top dignitaries was State Security Minister Lovemore Matuke, Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Charles Tawengwa, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Bulawayo provinces Marian Chombo, Cde Albert Nguluvhe, Judith Ncube respectively.
Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Christopher Magomo was also present.
The event was running under the theme: “Fuel Youth: Ignite the Future as We Strive Towards a Crime-Free Zimbabwe,” underscoring the urgency of protecting the youth from the grip of drugs and empowering them to build a brighter future.
For many in attendance, the day was more than a march it was a call to action.
-Zimpapers
