The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has admitted that despite intensified operations and thousands of arrests, the real suppliers and kingpins behind the country’s growing drug crisis remain unidentified.
In a rare public concession, police have appealed to citizens to assist in exposing the sources and networks responsible for flooding communities with illicit substances, particularly dagga and cocaine.
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations are ongoing but acknowledged that law enforcement alone cannot dismantle entrenched drug supply chains without public cooperation.
“That is also our question as the police: where are these drugs coming from? We are carrying out investigations, but we also require information from members of the public to establish whether these substances are being sourced locally or from outside the country,” Nyathi said.
Since January, police have arrested 7 049 people for drug-related offences, including at least 935 suspected suppliers. However, most of those apprehended are believed to be street-level dealers, couriers, or users rather than the masterminds who control the trade.
A vox pop conducted by Express Mail Zim in several high-density suburbs revealed growing public frustration and scepticism, with residents insisting that the identities of major drug players are widely known but rarely acted upon.
“Majabhuna aripo, uye anozikanwa. Even the authorities know them,” said a Mbare resident who identified himself only as Ras Chapwititi. “The problem is that the war on drugs targets small fish while the big ones remain untouched.”
Several interviewees questioned how the fight against drugs can succeed when some individuals previously linked to drug peddling allegations, arrests, or investigations continue to resurface in influential positions, including politics, business, and local governance.
“There are people who were once arrested or named in drug cases, yet later you see them being appointed to powerful posts or enjoying protection,” said a University of Zimbabwe sociology student who requested anonymity. “That sends a dangerous message that accountability only applies to the poor.”
Residents further alleged that some politicians and councillors publicly campaign against drug abuse while privately benefiting from the same networks they condemn. Although these claims remain unproven in court, they reflect a growing trust deficit between communities and authorities.
The student argued that drug trafficking is capital-intensive and structurally organised, making it unlikely that genuine kingpins operate from impoverished townships.
“Drugs are expensive. The value chain requires serious money. The real cartel leaders live close to power, not in Mbare or Mabvuku,” he said. “History has shown, from figures like Pablo Escobar to Griselda Blanco, that drug empires thrive through political connections and protection.”
The survey also revealed that cocaine abuse is increasingly prevalent in upmarket clubs, where patrons reportedly include children of influential politicians and wealthy businesspeople, raising further concerns about selective enforcement and class-based impunity.
Observers argue that until investigations extend beyond street dealers to scrutinise financiers, facilitators, and politically connected suspects — including those previously arrested or implicated — Zimbabwe’s anti-drug campaign will struggle to achieve lasting impact.
For many citizens, the call for public assistance rings hollow unless matched by transparency, consistency, and the political will to confront drug crime at every level of society, regardless of status or influence.
