Enqameni Chief Khulumani Mathema has banned the sale and consumption of illicit beer known as Njengu in his area, warning offenders face traditional fines of up to 10 goats.
The traditional leader said sellers have until September 10 to stop trading, after which he will begin arresting and penalising offenders.
“From September 10 onwards, I will be arresting the offenders,” Chief Mathema said.
Sellers face fines of between five and 10 goats, while those caught drinking the brew will be fined three goats or more.
Community members who report offenders will receive a goat as a reward.
“Njengu must stop in Enqameni. I do not want to hear about it at all,” the chief said.
He also declared an immediate crackdown on illegal shebeens, warning operators face expulsion from the community.
“Once found, your punishment will be expulsion from the community. You have to go away and do that madness,” he said.
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The chief’s “Not in My Village” campaign aims to mobilise communities against illicit alcohol and drugs.
He said youth unemployment and limited economic opportunities were contributing factors, with young people affected by circumstances beyond their control.
“Those who supply the brew are well connected and have power,” Chief Mathema said, warning that the nation is “losing a generation” through substance abuse.
His intervention follows a National Aids Council (Nac) warning that Zimbabwe risks losing a generation to drug and substance abuse, while dwindling resources threaten progress against HIV.
Nac Bulawayo provincial manager Sinatra Nyathi said the country was in the “last mile” towards achieving 2030 HIV targets but faced significant challenges.
“We need to really work outside the box for us to meet the 2030 targets,” Nyathi said.
She expressed concern over condom supply sustainability and drug use among young people, noting some schools had resorted to using trained dogs to detect drugs among pupils.
“If schools have to use trained dogs to sniff drugs, then these are private schools that are expensive, and we are expecting that at least the behaviour should be better,” Nyathi said.
