Beitbridge, Zimbabwe – Police have arrested a 26-year-old man for unlawfully cultivating cannabis, commonly known as mbanje, in Driehoek Village, Makhado, following a successful raid conducted by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department’s Drugs and Narcotics Unit.
The suspect, identified as Awelani Ndlovu, was apprehended on 5 June 2025 after officers received a tip-off from concerned members of the community. Acting on the information, the CID team launched a targeted operation at Ndlovu’s homestead, where they discovered 210 mbanje plants growing in a fenced section of his compound.
Police sources confirmed that the plants were being cultivated discreetly behind a line of maize crops, allegedly to evade detection. The illegal garden reportedly stretched across a significant portion of the property, and the plants ranged in height from knee-level to over a metre tall, suggesting that the operation had been ongoing for several months.
“The suspect was caught red-handed tending to the plants when officers arrived. He attempted to flee but was apprehended after a short chase,” said a law enforcement official involved in the operation. “The plants were uprooted and secured as evidence, and Ndlovu was taken into custody without incident.”
This arrest is part of a wider crackdown by Zimbabwean authorities targeting drug-related offenses, particularly in border towns such as Beitbridge, which has increasingly become a hotspot for drug trafficking and cultivation due to its proximity to South Africa and access to rural hideouts.
Suspected Cannabis Farmer Caught by Police
Law enforcement agencies have expressed concern over the rising number of cases involving the cultivation and distribution of illegal substances in remote villages and farms, where traditional policing methods are often difficult to apply due to challenging terrain and lack of infrastructure.
In a separate but related development, police in Featherstone arrested another suspect for possession of cannabis during a roadside interception along the busy Harare-Masvingo Highway. The arrest occurred on 4 June 2025 at the 103-kilometre peg, when officers stopped a Nissan Note for a routine search.
The passenger, identified as Brian Bhobho (30), was found with a significant quantity of mbanje concealed in flour packaging. According to police reports, the contraband was hidden inside bags labeled “12.5kg Flour,” presumably to avoid detection during transport.
“The packaging was a clear attempt to disguise the drugs during transportation,” said one officer who participated in the search. “Bhobho failed to produce any documentation to justify possession and was arrested on the spot.”
Investigations into both incidents are currently underway, with forensic teams assessing the scale of the operations and any potential links to wider drug distribution networks. Both suspects are expected to appear before magistrates in their respective jurisdictions within the coming days.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reaffirmed its commitment to fighting drug crimes across the country, emphasizing that operations targeting cultivation, possession, trafficking, and distribution will continue with increased intensity.
“Drug abuse and trafficking pose a serious threat to public health and national security,” read a statement released by the ZRP. “We urge members of the public to report any suspicious activities in their communities. The fight against drugs cannot be won without community involvement.”
Drug-related offenses, particularly those involving cannabis, have seen a marked increase in Zimbabwe over the past few years. Authorities attribute this to various factors including economic hardship, unemployment, and cross-border criminal syndicates exploiting gaps in rural law enforcement.
While cannabis remains classified as a prohibited substance under Zimbabwean law, the government has made limited legal provisions for licensed industrial and medicinal cultivation under tightly regulated frameworks. However, these legal avenues are often abused by unlicensed individuals attempting to profit from illegal markets.
Community leaders in Beitbridge and Featherstone have praised the recent police operations, noting that such efforts are crucial in protecting young people from the lure of drug use and trafficking. However, they have also called for a more holistic approach that includes education, employment opportunities, and rehabilitation services for those affected by substance abuse.
“These arrests send a strong message, but enforcement alone is not enough,” said a local councillor from Beitbridge. “We need sustainable community outreach programmes that address the root causes of drug involvement, particularly among the youth.”
As investigations continue, both Awelani Ndlovu and Brian Bhobho remain in custody. The police have encouraged the public to remain vigilant and to cooperate with ongoing anti-drug operations across the country.
