Op-ed by Nigel Pfunde
HARARE- THE government recently launched an anti drugs campaign but the “war on drugs” is starting to look like a bad joke after nine Chinese nationals busted with cocaine walked out of court on Friday with nothing more than a slap on the wrist, a mere US$150 fine each.
The foreign nationals were nabbed getting high as a kite at a Highlands mansion along Knightsbridge Road last week.
The foreign nationals were allegedly ‘living lavida loca’ sniffing cocaine (coke) off a wooden tray with a flashy golden playing card.
Police also uncovered crystal meth, benzos and coke worth over US$1000. .
In handing down ruling , Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe
declared the quantities “insignificant” and spared them jail time.
The ruling has sparked national outrage especially when compared to how locals are treated.
Justca few weeks ago Christine Chambers, a 39-year-old mother of four was jailed after being caught with cannabis worth US$96.
A High Court judge even blasted the lower court for being too lenient, insisting that anything over 700 grams of dagga warrants mandatory prison.
” Why are locals being thrown behind bars while foreigners get away with pocket-change fines?
“This is selective application of justice and Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi must intervene,” said a political commentator.
The government has been parading its anti-drug abuse blitz raiding ghettos and rounding up youths caught with as little as a sachet of weed yet when it comes to foreign nationals with hard drugs like cocaine and crystal meth, the justice system suddenly grows soft.
Critics say it’s a classic case of selective application of justice fuelling suspicion that well-connected foreigners are being shielded while ordinary Zimbabweans bear the brunt of harsh drug laws.
Meanwhile, alleged ringleader Huang Zhen remains behind bars awaiting trial.
One outraged social media user posted:
“ My cousin is doing three years for mbanje. This is not justice it’s protection for foreigners, cocaine wangu.”
During the launch of the Presidential Women Empowerment fund last week in which this writer was in attendance,Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said they were lobbying government to introduce a Statutory Instrument to introduce stiffer penalties on drug abusers.
She called for a minimum of 15 years imprisonment.
Last week , a youthful musician Holy Ten (real name Mukudzeyi Chitsama) who is believed to be under drugs made waves with treasonous threats against the First Family.
His name Mukudzeyi can be loosely translated to ‘giving respect’ but he acted in complete negation of the name and disrespected the First Family and he really hit hard like his surname suggests!
