Court sends chilling warning to those dealing in drugs: Man landed 9 months in jail after being found with $14 worth of mutoriro drugs
In a swift and definitive display of the Zimbabwean justice system’s resolve, a Harare resident has been sentenced to an effective nine months in prison for the possession of a small quantity of methamphetamine—a stark warning to those involved in the nation’s escalating drug crisis.
The convicted man, Shingirai Sikona Makamu, 38, was apprehended following a crucial tip-off received by police detectives. The arrest took place at the busy Copa Cabana bus terminus in Harare on the 22nd of August, 2025.
What the offender carried was a mere 1.5 grams of the crystal methamphetamine, a haul valued at approximately USD $14. But as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has made clear, the value of the substance is immaterial when compared to the damage it inflicts on lives and communities.
“Drug abuse and drug trafficking are destroying lives and communities across Zimbabwe,” the NPA declared in a statement. “Let this be a warning to all: The law is watching and the courts are taking a firm stance.”
During the search, police recovered two sachets of the crystal substance concealed in Makamu’s right trouser pocket. He was swiftly brought before the Harare Magistrates’ court.
While the court imposed a full 12-month sentence, three months were conditionally suspended on the condition of good behaviour, leaving Makamu with and unforgiving nine months to serve.
This sentence underscores the courts’ commitment to cracking down on the insidious grip of drug peddling, even for what some may view as minor possession. The message is simple: there is zero tolerance for the drug trade in Zimbabwe.
