By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
A tense moment unfolded at Makakavhule Cemetery in Beitbridge when Ward 4 Councillor Emmanuel Takutaku was booed by youths while delivering remarks on drug and substance abuse during a funeral gathering.
The incident occurred last Friday during the burial of the late Charles Moyo.
Councillor Takutaku had been speaking about the dangers of drug and substance abuse among young people when some youths in attendance openly disagreed with his comments, interrupting his speech with boos.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network after the incident, Councillor Takutaku described the behaviour as disrespectful.
“It was a sign of disrespect,” he said. “The reaction also showed that some of the youths could have been under the influence of drugs.”
He said the incident caused a brief commotion as the youths reacted strongly to his remarks on drug abuse and youth behaviour.
“I talked about the abuse of drugs as something which was contributing negatively to the development of our area. Just as I mentioned drug abuse, there arose a lot of noise from the youthful mourners disapproving of what I had just said,” he said.
“The youths didn’t want to hear anything about drug abuse. To them, it was taboo that I had talked about it. I had to stop my speech forthwith.”
“What is so worrying about all this is, if our youths think taking drugs is normal, then where are we headed as a town and as a nation at large?” he said.
The councillor reiterated the need for communities to work together in addressing the growing problem of drug and substance abuse among youths in Beitbridge and across the country.
“Again, the government should come up with a law banning zvinjengu from being sold. It is called tototo in the rural setup, and it is very dangerous,” he said.
Councillor Takutaku also called for stronger action against drug dealers and corrupt practices within law enforcement agencies.
“I think drug lords should be arrested and taken to court with their full loot. What we are witnessing are police officers arresting drug dealers with large quantities of these drugs, but when going to court only a handful is presented before the magistrate while the rest is concealed,” he alleged.
“They do so to save the dealer from getting a long sentence from the courts. What is needed is sincerity from the part of our law enforcement agencies,” he said.
The Government of Zimbabwe has declared drug and substance abuse a national disaster and intensified efforts to combat the scourge through stricter law enforcement and the establishment of rehabilitation centres.
Earlier this year in Beitbridge, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South, Albert Nguluvhe, officially launched the Beitbridge District Drug and Substance Abuse Awareness Campaign. He called on churches, communities, councillors and law enforcement agencies to take collective responsibility in confronting the growing drug menace in the district.
However, the incident at Makakavhule Cemetery has raised concerns over the challenges authorities may face in the fight against drug and substance abuse among youths.