Drug peddlers get innovative
DRUG peddlers in Bulawayo have invented a new way of concealing their illicit act by using cocaine and mbanje as ingredients to bake muffins which they openly sell on the streets, it has been confirmed.
The latest invention has seen the proliferation of muffins on the streets where those laced with drugs are referred to as “space muffins”. Police last week arrested one of the drug peddlers but he escaped with a fine after the muffins started rotting before they could be taken for testing to establish the level of drugs in them.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the arrest and said investigations were continuing.
“Police arrested a man in connection with drug dealing. He was found in possession of two twists of marijuana and muffins baked using the drug,” she said.
Insp Simango added that police wanted to take the muffins for forensic examination in Harare but failed to do so as they were getting bad.
“We failed to take the muffins for forensics but we did manage to get information on the supplier,” said Insp Simango.
The drug dealer was identified as Anthony Mguni and was therefore let off after paying a fine after being charged with illegal possession of drugs. Insp Simango said as police they have the capacity and authority to vet criminal charges.
“As police we have the capacity to look at the offence and derive a verdict. In this case we found it to be a minimal offence and he was made to pay a $20 fine,” she said.
She appealed to members of the public to desist from buying unknown food stuffs from strangers.
“We are appealing to members of the public to desist from buying these foods. We are also urging parents to advise their children on the dangers of this as well. These drugs are addictive and pose serious health risks,” she said.
According to sources in the police, Mguni was arrested following a tip off, after some teenagers began acting hysterically after consuming the muffins laced with illicit drugs.
“One girl only came back to her senses after two days. She wasn’t able to do anything except sleep,” said the source.
The source added that the muffins came in different flavours, which fetch different amounts.
“I am told these space cakes or muffins have different flavours, some are baked or prepared with cocaine and or marijuana. They are then sold on the street. Those who know can distinguish these muffins because they are called space muffins,” said the police officer.
Over the years, drug dealers have devised methods to evade arrest at the same time coming up with new concoctions of drugs that are consumed mainly by teenagers. It was reported in the past that drug dealers were forming syndicates with employees at local morgues where they buy embalming compound which in turn is used by addicts as an intoxicating substance.
The substance, which comes in both liquid and powder forms, is used in preserving corpses in mortuaries by making the body an unsuitable host for bacteria and other organisms, in the process slowing down decomposition. A number of drug addicts have turned to cough mixture known as Broncleer Codeine Cough Syrup which they consume to get high.
PURSUANT to my Press statement of the 22nd of March 2018 on the deliberations of the Politburo at the Zanu-PF Extraordinary Session held at the party headquarters in Harare on the even date; more specifically relating to the report presented by Advocate Jacob Mudenda on behalf of the Secretary for Legal Affairs, Cde Paul Mangwana on qualifications of candidates for the National Assembly and Women’s Quota in the primary elections, it has become apparent that some sections of the media have issued reports that appear to be at gross variance with my pronouncement.
The said reports gave the field impression that qualification for candidates for the National Assembly and Women’s Quota were supposed, at minimum, to have served at provincial level for a minimum effective period of five (5) years; and this has created unintended perceptions and anxiety in some sections of society hence necessitating this pronouncement. For the purposes of clarity, it was reported at the Politburo that in terms of qualifications for National Assembly and Women’s Quota:
Candidates for National Assembly Elections i. Applicant must be a registered voter in the ward; ii. Twenty one (21) years of age and above; iii. Shall have served at least as a District Member for a minimum period of five (5) years; iv. Is a fully paid-up member of the party; v. Has adequate political, economic, cultural and social knowledge of Zimbabwean affairs to enable him/her to contribute meaningfully to debate in Parliament; vi. Is a person of good character and standing; vii. Is a person who is loyal to the party.
Candidates for Women’s Quota Elections i. Applicant must be registered voter in the ward; ii. Twenty one (21) years of age and above; iii. Shall have served at least as a District Member for a minimum period of five (5) years; iv. Is a fully paid-up member of the party; v. Has adequate political, economic, cultural and social knowledge of Zimbabwean affairs to enable him/her to contribute meaningfully to debate in Parliament; viii. Is a person of good character and standing; ix. Is a person who is loyal to the party. The Secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Paul Mangwana also reported that the dates for Zanu-PF primary elections shall be announced soon, as such, members should desist from campaigning and that members intending to contest should wait till the pronouncement has been made for them to start campaigns. — The Herald