Story by kenias Chivuzhe
A former beerhall in Dombotombo, Marondera, has been transformed into a drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centre, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa expected to commission the facility this week.
The centre, the first of its kind in Mashonaland East province, is part of Government efforts to curb rising cases of drug and substance abuse.
Residents said the conversion of the former Kasipiti beerhall marks a turning point for the community.
“This was a beer hall and was one of the places where drug and substance abuse was rife. We are glad that this is being transformed into a rehabilitation centre,” residents said.
“We were facing a huge challenge of drug and substance abuse. The establishment of this facility will improve the province’s capacity to rehabilitate victims.
“We thank the President for this facility, as it is the first of its kind here in Marondera. We also want more efforts to be directed towards cutting the supply chain. Drug and substance abuse is rife here, and the establishment of this facility is highly welcome. We also need to expose suppliers who are contributing towards this challenging situation.”
Marondera Central Ward 7 councillor Hilton Chipasho said the facility would bring services closer to the people.
“As the local councillor, we launched a campaign against drug and substance abuse, but we were taking victims to faraway places that include Bindura. This will bring rehabilitation services closer to our communities,” he said.
Women’s Quota councillor Loice Kwagwara described the development as timely.
“Given the magnitude of drug and substance abuse, we thank President Mnangagwa for spearheading the construction of this facility, turning a beer hall into a rehabilitation centre,” she said.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, said the facility would soon be fully operational.
“This was Kasipiti beerhall and we have thought of converting it into a rehabilitation centre. We are confident that by this Saturday, His Excellency President Mnangagwa will commission it as a fully functional facility. This is going to be the first facility to be commissioned in the province and soon we will also be commissioning another facility in the Mangwende area of Murewa this quarter,” he said.
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Honourable Tino Machakaire said construction materials were in place ahead of commissioning.
“I want to thank the President for instituting a task force to deal with drug and substance abuse. At this facility, all the construction materials are here, and we expect the facility to be completed by this Saturday,” he said.
He added that a provincial resource mobilisation programme launched in November last year had contributed to funding the project.
“In November last year we launched the provincial resource mobilisation programme here in Marondera and we had a target of raising US$25 000 and we are now collecting the money from those who made pledges. Some of the resources are now being used here,” Honourable Machakaire said.
The commissioning comes as the country commemorates National Youth Day, with authorities describing the rehabilitation centre as a critical intervention in restoring communities affected by addiction.
