Prophet Makandiwa Blasts Government Over Zimbabwe's Drug Crisis: "Suppliers Are Known But Not In Jail"
Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa has delivered one of his most powerful and politically charged messages in recent memory, addressing Zimbabwe's devastating drug crisis head-on and placing the responsibility firmly on the shoulders of the government to take real, measurable action — not just issue statements and hold press conferences.
Government Must Do More Than Talk
Speaking passionately to his congregation at UFIC, Makandiwa made it abundantly clear that while churches, families, and individuals all have a role to play in discouraging drug use among Zimbabwe's youth, the ultimate power to solve this crisis lies with those in government. He argued that the state has resources, legal authority, and infrastructure that no church or community organisation can match — and it is time they used it.
"The government has the power to do more than just talk about this issue. They need to implement systems that make it nearly impossible for drugs to enter this country and reach our young people."
His words struck a chord with thousands in attendance, many of whom have watched helplessly as their children, siblings, and neighbours fall victim to substance abuse. Makandiwa's message was not one of hopelessness — but of urgent demand for accountability from those elected and appointed to protect Zimbabwean citizens.
Drug Suppliers Are Known — Yet Walk Free
In what became the most explosive part of his sermon, Makandiwa dropped a bombshell that left his congregation visibly stunned. He revealed what many ordinary Zimbabweans have long suspected but been afraid to say publicly — that the individuals behind the country's drug trade are not mysterious, faceless criminals operating in the shadows. They are known. And yet, they remain free.
"The suppliers are known. They are known — but they are not in jail."
The statement has since gone viral across Zimbabwean social media platforms, with thousands of citizens sharing it alongside their own frustrations. Many have taken to WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages to voice agreement, with some alleging that political connections protect high-level drug dealers from prosecution. Makandiwa stopped short of naming individuals, but his implication was unmistakable — there is a failure of political will, not a failure of intelligence, when it comes to arresting those responsible.
Rehabilitation Centers Are Not Enough
The UFIC founder also took aim at the government's over-reliance on rehabilitation centers as the primary response to the drug epidemic. While he acknowledged that rehabilitation plays an important role, Makandiwa argued that the approach is fundamentally flawed if it does not address the root of the problem — access to drugs in the first place.
He painted a sobering picture: a young person goes through weeks or months of rehabilitation, works hard to overcome their addiction, and is then released — straight back into the same neighborhood, the same streets, and the same social circles where drugs are freely available. Without removing the supply, rehabilitation becomes a revolving door rather than a genuine solution.
"Rehabilitation centers alone are not enough if addicts are released back into the same environments that fostered their addiction in the first place."
Make Drugs Difficult To Access
Central to Makandiwa's argument was a simple but powerful principle — the most effective way to fight drug addiction is to make drugs hard to get. He stressed that demand-side solutions like counselling, church programmes, and awareness campaigns, while valuable, cannot succeed if drugs remain cheap, plentiful, and easy to obtain on nearly every street corner in Zimbabwe's urban areas. The supply chain must be disrupted at its source, and that requires government intervention at the border, in the courts, and in law enforcement agencies.
Serious Penalties For Dealers and Importers
Makandiwa called loudly for serious, meaningful, and consistent penalties for anyone caught selling or importing drugs into Zimbabwe. He expressed frustration at what he described as consequences too weak to deter those who profit from the destruction of young lives. When the punishment for dealing drugs is less severe than the financial reward, the trade will continue to flourish. He urged lawmakers and the judiciary to treat drug trafficking with the same gravity as other serious crimes that threaten national security.
Faith In Government's Capacity — But Not Its Will
Despite his sharp criticism, Makandiwa was careful to express genuine belief that the Zimbabwean government possesses the capacity and the tools to tackle this crisis effectively. His challenge was not that the government cannot act — but that it has chosen not to act with the urgency the situation demands. He called on leaders to demonstrate the kind of political courage that puts the welfare of Zimbabwe's children above any other consideration, including the protection of well-connected individuals involved in the drug trade.
A Nation's Youth Hanging In The Balance
Makandiwa's message comes at a critical moment for Zimbabwe. The country is in the grip of a well-documented drug epidemic that has torn apart families in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, and beyond. Substances such as crystal methamphetamine — known locally as "mutoriro" or "guka" — as well as bronco, prescription drug abuse, and other substances have become tragically common among young Zimbabweans. Social workers, teachers, and parents have been raising the alarm for years, often feeling ignored by authorities.
As one of the most influential and widely followed spiritual leaders in Zimbabwe and across Africa, Makandiwa's public stance adds enormous moral and social pressure on the government to move urgently from rhetoric to real action. His congregation spans hundreds of thousands of followers, and his voice carries weight not just in the church — but in the national conversation.
Whether the government will respond to this call remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — the people of Zimbabwe are listening, and they are tired of waiting.
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