Minister of Justice Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi
By Dickson Bandera
The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has officially launched a national training programme for Drug and Substance Abuse Courts in a bid to strengthen Zimbabwe’s fight against rising drug and substance abuse.
Speaking at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi, highlighted the alarming increase in drug use, particularly among the youth, and emphasised the government’s commitment to a multi-sectoral approach.
“The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe condemns in the strongest terms the scourge of drug and substance abuse,” said Minister Ziyambi.
“This training reflects the essential collaboration between the Judiciary, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the Executive in confronting one of the most significant threats to our nation’s social fabric, public health, and future prosperity.”
The specialised courts are designed to deliver swift, fair, and health-centred justice. Magistrates and prosecutors will undergo training to adjudicate drug-related matters effectively while taking into account the public health dimensions of addiction.
The initiative forms part of the Zimbabwe Multisectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan 2024–2030, which prioritises prevention, rehabilitation, law enforcement, and community reintegration.
According to Minister Ziyambi, recent studies show that approximately 60% of admissions to mental health institutions are related to substance use disorders, and Zimbabwe is increasingly being used as a hub by sophisticated local and international drug trafficking networks.
“The conventional criminal justice system is ill-equipped to handle this crisis,” Minister Ziyambi said. “Arrest and incarceration alone cannot cure addiction, nor can they dismantle organised criminal networks. This is why the establishment of Drug and Substance Abuse Courts is a decisive national intervention.”
The training, led by senior judges, magistrates, and officers from the National Prosecuting Authority, focuses on sentencing principles, legislative frameworks, ethical considerations, and collaborative case management. It also ensures that first-time offenders struggling with addiction are guided towards rehabilitation rather than purely punitive measures.
Minister Ziyambi also noted that the government is advancing legislation to establish a National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency, which will complement the specialised courts by coordinating enforcement and social services interventions nationwide.
“This programme is where national policy meets courtroom reality,” Minister Ziyambi said, urging participants to uphold integrity and professionalism in addressing the country’s drug crisis.
The Drug and Substance Abuse Courts Training Programme is part of Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to protect public health, improve judicial efficiency, and achieve the nation’s Vision 2030 of a prosperous and drug-free society.
