Story by John Nhandara
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested 46 suspects following a raid on an illegal brewery in Harare’s Southerton industrial area, where illicit alcoholic beverages were allegedly being manufactured using ethanol.
The suspects comprise 42 Zimbabwean nationals and four foreign nationals.
A visit to the site, which remains under police guard, revealed large ethanol storage tanks allegedly used in the production process, as well as packaging materials and finished products ready for distribution onto the market.
ZRP National Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects face multiple charges, including contravening the Food and Food Standards Act and regulations governing liquor manufacturing.
“The suspects were manufacturing illicit substances under the guise that they were supplying to Zimbabweans wines and spirits, when in actual fact they are using ethanol. Ethanol, which has not been approved by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe or even the other authorities of Zimbabwe, is suitable for use in these substances.
“And then you also realise that the environment in which these substances are being manufactured is just dirty, it is just a field. Meaning to say the health and safety of Zimbabweans is at stake, and we want to warn these foreign nationals and also the locals that there are laws in the country,” he said.
The arrests come as government intensifies efforts to combat drug and substance abuse, including proposals to establish the Zimbabwe Drug and Substance Abuse Agency, which will coordinate the country’s response to the growing scourge.
