Story by Abigirl Tembo
IN a decisive move aimed at protecting citizens from the dangers of unregulated alcohol, government has gazetted a Statutory Instrument that effectively bans the production, sale and consumption of harmful illicit brews.
The regulation, enacted under the Harmful Liquids Act, was officially announced by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe.
The newly imposed ban comes after years of growing concern over the public health crisis posed by these potent, home-brewed concoctions, which are often produced in backyards and informal settlements without any form of quality control or hygiene standards.
The illicit alcoholic beverages, some popularly known as Tumbwa and Musombodhiya and known for their high alcohol content and low cost, have long been associated with severe health complications, ranging from alcohol poisoning and long-term liver damage to addiction and even death.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, these brews have contributed significantly to hospital admissions, with several fatalities linked to toxic brews having also been reported in recent years.
The statutory instrument outlines stringent measures aimed at cracking down on the illicit alcohol industry, and sets heavy penalties for violators, including fines, imprisonment, and the seizure of equipment used in brewing.
Government has since instructed the Zimbabwe Republic Police to work closely with local leadership structures, including chiefs, headmen, and councillors, to enforce the law, while civil society organisations and religious groups are also being roped in to support public education campaigns and community outreach programmes.
