HARARE — A Marondera young anti-drug activist Wayne Chingarire, has fled his hometown after a series of threats and attacks allegedly linked to his work in youth empowerment and anti-drug campaigns.
Chingarire, who recently returned from Dubai, had joined a local youth initiative in Marondera,Youth Arise, aimed at curbing drug abuse among young people. He was later appointed chairperson of the group, which organized awareness campaigns and rehabilitation workshops.
However, his activism appears to have angered powerful figures. Zimbabwe’s drug crisis has been widely linked to politically connected networks, with most drug dealers allegedly enjoying immunity from prosecution.“Soon after I became chairperson, I started receiving threats.
Some people accused me of supporting the opposition, which is untrue.”I later got information that our organisation’s call for the arrest of known drug cartels in Marondera angered some of the drug lords who are behind the menace but are politically-connected to the ruling party,” Chingarire said in an interview.
He said the first break-in attempt at his home occurred in early April, followed by another on April 30, and violent threats on May 15.
Fearing for his family’s safety, he relocated to his aunt’s home in Harare’s Dzivarasekwa suburb but the threats continued.“They destroyed my aunt’s gate and car, warning me to stop the youth programs,” he said.
The final incident happened at the end of August forcing him to flee the country.
“I was trailed by unregistered vehicles typical of those driven by CIOs(intelligence officers) while coming from watching a late night soccer match.”I quickly averted the danger by seeking refuge at a nearby ‘tuck-shop’ but as one of the car drove by,one of the occupants shouted that they were watching me.It terrified me that now I was being suspected as an anti-government activist and now I had no choice but to flee the country for my safety,” he said.
Despite government’s pledge to end the drug menace in Zimbabwe, criminal networks and political interests are often intertwined.
In Mbare,a well-known drug- lord Dhama is a Zanu PF councillor. Last month,Minister of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training, Tinoda Machakaire made startling claims that some senior officials within the ruling Zanu-PF party are involved in drug smuggling and selling.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called for greater protection of civic leaders and tougher action against drug lords believed to be operating under political cover.
Whistleblowing on drug networks has become a high-risk act. These cartels often operate with sophisticated networks and protect their trade through violence and corruption.
Those who speak out , whether community members, journalists, or even local leaders , frequently find themselves targeted for simply trying to safeguard the wellbeing of their communities.
“Drug dealers have turned into ruthless predators. They’re baying for my blood just for speaking up. If the system doesn’t protect whistleblowers, no one will ever dare to report these crimes again,”bemoaned Chingarire.
It is deeply concerning that, while government agencies and civic organizations are stepping up anti-drug campaigns, whistleblower protection remains weak.
This gap allows drug peddlers to instill fear, silence witnesses, and continue exploiting vulnerable youth.
