By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Harare — The Zimbabwe government has officially banned the manufacture, sale, and consumption of ethanol-laced alcoholic beverages commonly known as “kambwa” or “musombodhiya.”
The move aims to curb the spread of harmful and unregulated home-brewed alcohol prevalent in low-income communities.
The ban was announced in a Government Gazette published last Friday by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe. The minister added the illicit brews to the list of prohibited substances under the Harmful Liquids Act, through an amendment titled the Harmful Liquids Act (Amendment of Schedule to Act) Notice, 2025.
“This notice may be cited as the Harmful Liquids Act (Amendment of Schedule to Act) Notice, 2025,” the announcement reads.
“The Schedule to the Act is amended by the insertion after item 9 (‘Nipa’) of the following item: 10. Any unregulated, unauthorised or illegally produced alcoholic beverages containing ethanol, colloquially referred to by such names as kambwa, musombodhiya or by any other name whatsoever.”
With this addition, Zimbabwe now bans ten harmful alcoholic substances, including previously prohibited brews such as Skokiaan, Barberton, Qilika, Isityimiyana, Hopana, Qediviki, Uhali, Kachasu, and Nipa. These illicit drinks are known for their contribution to health complications, violence, and social disorder.
Kambwa and musombodhiya are typically produced in backyard settings using industrial-grade ethanol mixed with various additives.
Their affordability and high potency have made them popular among low-income populations, despite reports linking their consumption to violent incidents, poisonings, and deaths.
Authorities have linked the consumption of these brews to increased violent behavior, gender-based violence (GBV), and fatalities due to their toxic nature.
The latest ban is expected to bolster law enforcement efforts against illegal alcohol production and distribution, providing a legal basis for prosecuting offenders.