By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Zimdancehall sensation Ras Pompy has swapped the stage for a jail cell after being slapped with a six-month prison sentence and the streets of Harare (and social media) are on fire with anger.
The 27-year-old artist, born Nyasha Reginald Mano, was convicted after a movie-like high-speed chase through Harare suburbs ended with his Honda Fit smashing into a metal pole and police uncovering a stash of 100 bottles of cough syrup inside.
On July 16, 2025, detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit spotted Ras Pompy’s black Honda Fit (AGS 6699) on Kambuzuma Road. The vehicle was already on the police radar.
But when ordered to stop, Pompy hit the accelerator leading cops on a heart-pounding pursuit through Rugare. It all ended when he lost control and crashed, giving detectives the perfect chance to pounce.
The bust revealed a mini-pharmacy on wheels:
- 24 x Broncleer (100ml)
- 20 x Benylin (100ml)
- 55 x Astra Pain (100ml)
Street value? US$396 (approx. ZAR 7,200). Police seized both the drugs and the Honda Fit, sealing Ras Pompy’s fate.
While the artist now faces months behind bars, Zimbabweans are furious not just about his crime, but about the double standards in the justice system.
The outrage stems from a recent case where Chinese nationals caught with cocaine walked away with just a US$150 fine.
“It’s not about the crime, it’s about who commits it. The system is broken,” one user wrote
“Our mother’s child jailed in his own country while foreigners walk free. #ZimbabwendeyeVeneVayo,” the other added
The debate rages on: how can possession of cough syrup land someone in jail, while hard drugs like cocaine earn a slap-on-the-wrist fine?
“Which is worse, cocaine or bronco? Cocaine – $150 fine.” “It’s unfortunate he is not from China.”