DRUGS (MBANJE): A TIME BOMB

15 year old Tanatswa Chabvuta (not her real name), a high school pupil smoked Mbanje for the first time with friends at her family house.

Five minutes later she passed out on the lawn in front of the house.

 Her friends who were not first timers and had lured her to smoke fled leaving her lying there alone.

Fortunately poor Tanatswa despite being high managed to crawl to her bedroom before her mother arrived from China chamadzimai.

 She woke up bleary and groggy with a terrible head ache at 1747 hours and thought she was late for school the next morning.

 Despite her confused state of mind she quickly, took a shower and dressed up for school.

 Her mother was shocked when she learned that her daughter had erroneously perceived the end of a day to the beginning of the next day and was preparing food to take to school.

Tanatswa had smoked Mbanje and it took a tore on her psychological and physiological set up.

 

prepared mbanje

Drugs have a propensity to destroy lives once you test them and are difficult to let go.

 Number one drug of concern in Zimbabwe is Mbanje and a fight against it ought to be wedged because many youths and some elderly persons are wasting away..

 Cannabis Sativa (L) is the scientific name for Mbanje, a name coined by Carl Von Lynne a Swiss Botanist Professor.in the 18^th century.

 Several street names have been coined for the plant and include bhang, charas, pot, dope, ganja, hemp, weed, blow, grass, charlice, camba and many others.

 

The major active principle in all cannabis products is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also known internationally as Dronabinol.

 Tetrahydrocannabinol THC or Dronabinol is the substance that gives the so called pleasant euphoria or that literary makes smokers high.

 Mbanje has no therapeutic purpose whatsoever as some would like to claim and that is why it is internationally controlled (it is banned) (its use is unlawful).

 Tetrahydrocannabinolate acid (THCA) found in Mbanjeis converted to Dronabinol when burnt during smoking to boost the dronabinol already active in the plant.

 The potency of THC or dronabinol is enhanced by burning that is why it is mostly smoked.

 Cannabis is almost always smoked, often mixed with tobacco, but all consumption of herbal cannabis and resin is of illicit material and is internationally controlled.

 

With the required equipment law enforcing officials can easily detect where Mbanje is smoked, Dronabinol can be detected in blood within seconds of inhalation and it has a half-life of 2 hours.

 Following smoking of the equivalent of 10–15 milligrams over a period of 5–7 minutes, peak plasma levels of dronabinol or THC can certainly be detected.

 Since Mbanje is lipophilic it is therefore widely distributed in the body and can be traced in the blood.

 Most end products of Mbanje appear in the urine and faeces as glucuronide conjugates.

 Can be positively identified by low-power microscopy, where the appearance of glandular trichomes and cystolithic hairs is diagnostic.

 The Duquenois test and gas chromatography are two of the tests mostly used to detect Mbanje in suspected cases of drug abuse.

 Some metabolites can be detected in the urine for up to 2 weeks following smoking or ingestion.

 Mbanje is associated with schizophrenia and psychosis and most mentally related illnesses in Zimbabwe and worldwide are linked to abuse of drugs such as Mbanje.

 The head Mental Health Services and Substances Abuse (Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco Control), in Zimbabwe Mrs Dorcas Sithole said that drug abuse has grave effects since it does not only impact negatively on individuals but the whole community.

 “Drug abuse affects not only individuals, their families, workmates, friends, businesses, government resources but the society as a whole”

 “Marriages and families crumble as a result of parents abusing drugs and leads to them failing to provide the essential necessities to the family” she said.

 Mrs Sithole added that their Children drop out of school and start abusing drugs as well, fail to get employed when the time comes and will consequently become violent criminals in order to get money to buy more drugs.

 “If the cycle is maintained no one will work to contribute to the country’s economic growth” she said.

 Apart from sending you to jail drug abuse bring a myriad of injurious penalties which include ill health and ultimately death.  

 Depending on the method of administration of a drug, drug abuse results in contraction of needle borne ailments like hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.

 Children of drug abusers are mistreated or neglected as a result of their parent’s preoccupation with drugs.

 They are physically or emotionally abused and often lack proper care, and necessities such as food, water, and shelter.

 Internationally governments use resources to train their potential workforce which may not contribute to its economic growth as a result of ill health or death due to drug abuse.

 Most drug abusers fail to attain a full-time employment, and those who work put others at risk, particularly when employed in positions where even a minor degree of impairment could be catastrophic.

 Imagine what happens if a pilot or a passenger service vehicle drivers such as combi, taxi or bus drivers reports for work under the influence of a drug.

 Drug abuse disrupts economic growth of governments after its resources and the tax payer’s money is used up in order to avail medication to treat and rehabilitate drug abusers.

 Premature mortality, illness, injury leading to incapacitation, and imprisonment all serve to directly reduce economic productivity.

 Some abuse drugs to enhance their sporting activities but not only is it cheating and unlawful it results in addiction and dependence where drug abuse becomes a necessity for maintaining psychological and emotional equilibrium..

 One United States of America athlete Marian Jones was stripped off her accolades after it was discovered that she used drugs to enhance her athletic activities.

 Illegal drugs are perceived as sexual stimulants and aphrodisiacs, however the impact is often contrary to the desired one.

 Mbanje distorts the sense of time, and an illusion of prolonged arousal and orgasm is experienced by the user, unfortunately long term use may result in man having low sperm count and low testosterone levels and women can have abnormal ovulation.

 Some drugs impede erections in man and orgasms for both genders, and can cause erectile dysfunction in males leading to breaking up of marriages.

 Under the influence of this drug, you will not remember to have safe sex and you would end up having unprotected sex with one or multiple sexual partners.

 It can lead to unwanted pregnancy or contracting of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and HIV/ AIDS.

 Drugs damage internal essential organs which define life such as brain, liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, throat and stomach.

 People often use drugs as a way to overcome their depression, but in reality, the drug use can often worsen the situation.

 Drugs contain chemicals that sneak into the brain’s communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information.  

 They either imitate the brain’s natural chemical messengers or over stimulate the “reward circuit” of the brain.  

 Some drugs like Mbanje have a similar structure to brain’s chemical messengers and this similarity allows the drugs to “fool” the brain’s receptors and activate nerve cells to send abnormal messages.   

 Worldwide police and other law enforcing agents have been for centuries busting crime syndicates that deal with drugs but the fight is not theirs alone.

 Unless all stakeholders get involved in this battle it will not be won.

 Mbanje/Cannabis and cannabis resin are listed in Schedules I and IV of the United Nations 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

 THC or Dronabinol is listed in Schedule I of the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances as controlled substance..

 Section 155 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 09:23, says a dangerous drug means any coca bush, coca leaf, raw opium or cannabis plant, prepared opium, prepared cannabis or cannabis resin.

 Section 157 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 09:23, states that it is unlawful to possess, use, ingest, acquire, smoke, deal in, consume, cultivate, manufacture dangerous drugs shall be guilty of an offence.

In some countries possessing Mbanje is a serious crime and attracts life imprisonment or a death sentence.

World Pangolin Day: Moment of reflection for the most trafficked mammal

 

By Robert Zvidza

A pangolin is captured from the wild, either to be killed or sold, every five minutes in the world. In fact, they are the most smuggled animal in the world, and the Asian markets have a share in this “distinction”.

This quote extracted from a wildlife magazine Star2.com in 2017, reveals the threat pangolins have across the world and Zimbabwe in particular.

The 10^th anniversary of the World Pangolin Day celebrations was held early this year and Zimbabwe joined other nations in celebrating this day. The day is usually celebrated every third Saturday of February annually and is aimed at highlighting the plight of all species of pangolins in the face of unsustainable illegal wildlife trade and mass slaughter of thousands of these animals per year. It is by our hand that pangolins are disappearing and only by our hand they can also be saved.

This state of affairs has seen countries worldwide, different organisations joining hands with governments to save the pangolins which are said to be on the verge of extermination.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare also notes that pangolins are in danger of extinction.

As Zimbabwe is one of the reign states in Africa where pangolins exist, we have to take interest in their protection for the future generations who are in danger of never to set a sight on any pangolin just like dinosaurs are to our generations.

The Zimbabwe National Parks Management Authority Spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawu also views the pangolin as being on the verge of extinction.

“Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world and they facing extinction and in Zimbabwe they are specially protected animals through a Statutory Instrument because they are facing extinction…This animal is also internationally protected and listed under CITES  Appendix 1, which means its trade globally is prohibited,” he said.

But despite these trade embargos, criminal elements involved in their trade are increasingly well-organised and well-resourced and operate with impunity and they continue to find ways into the market. And to counter these dealings, governments’ world over should start prioritizing wildlife crimes.

The continued poaching of pangolins has seen their meat and scales finding their way to Asian markets in China and Vietnam where they are in high demand and fetch lucrative amounts.

In China, the meat is considered a delicacy eaten to celebrate a signing of a deal while the scales are considered to be useful in the cure of cancer, arthritis and asthma among other things and is also revered in Chinese traditional medicine though these functions are not scientifically proven yet.

“It is a huge concern, as the socio-economics of Asia increase so to it seems does the demand on pangolin cuisine. Pangolin soup is considered a delicacy when finalizing a deal – “kind of sign on the dotted line and let’s eat a pangolin!” These pangolin, are kept alive in cages and when ordered wheeled out to the customer prior to having his or her neck slit. Barbaric cannot or does not even describe this activity,” Lisa Hywood, founder of Tikki Hywood Trust in Zimbabwe - an organization which is known for offering rescue, rehabilitation and release on pangolins - was quoted in an interview with Safaritalk Magazine in 2016.

It also saddening to note that most pangolin recoveries and seizures occurring in the Middle East and Asia have their roots being traced to African countries and this includes Zimbabwe.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) together with The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC) who work in Asia and Africa to protect these animals from wildlife crime cemented the same sentiments. According to the WWF, populations of Asian pangolins have dropped by up to 80% in the last 10 years and this has pushed traders to look to Africa for their supply.

Programme Officer with TRAFFIC in South-East Asia, Lalita Gomez once said there had been a spate of seizures (over the years), most being three tonnes of scales originating from Congo (Central Africa) that were seized in Thailand a few years ago.

China is also said to have seized its largest haul of pangolin scales which had originated from Cameroon equating 5000 -7000 pangolins being killed.

There have been several other colossal seizures of shipments from Cameroon, Nigeria, and Democratic Republic of Congo among other African countries.

Given these statistics, there is a possibility that many pangolins could also be smuggled from our beloved nation Zimbabwe to these Asian markets.

According to statistics supplied by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Criminal Investigations Department, Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit, they handled 40 cases related to pangolins leading to the arrest of 82 accused persons. Seventeen live pangolins and over 1000kgs of pangolin scales were also recovered.  

Last year, ZRP dealt with 39 cases countrywide leading to the arrest of 73 people.  Thirty-two live pangolins, two pangolin skins and scales were recovered. Out of those arrested, one was convicted to 25 years imprisonment while 15 others were convicted and each sentenced to nine years imprisonment.

By the time of going to print, five pangolins had been recovered in four cases reported this year and eight people arrested. The cases are still pending at the courts.

While we may pride ourselves in making such arrests and recoveries, we should be warry of the number of pangolins being smuggled clandestinely out of our boarders until they reach the Asian markets without detection.

Taku Samantha Mutezo, Senior Legal Advisor at the Tikki Hywood Foundation commended the effort by authorities such as Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority, Zimbabwe Republic Police and the National Prosecuting Authority, which has seen Zimbabwe being listed among the top countries in terms of the conservation space, arrests, detection and convictions. She however feels more is to be done in order to get to the bottom of this wildlife smuggling.

“Our conviction rate is very high over 90 percent and we have one of the highest penalties of nine years for any of the offences relating to pangolins. But there is need for more awareness so that more people know that this is a crime and once these crimes are reported then we are in a position to find how criminals are smuggling these pangolins. We will then be able to track how pangolin meat and scales are being smuggled from Zimbabwe to Asian markets,” she said.

In their statement, the ZRP CID MFFU had a passionate plea to members of the public.

“If humans, so often the self-proclaimed caretakers of the planet, can give back to the pangolin the future we have so recklessly almost stolen, then perhaps it could again become a symbol of hope of what we might achieve for the many other magnificent, unique creatures threatened by our thoughtless sprawl, consumption and greed.

“We should not retreat into the magical thinking of bygone ages in order to find cause to revere the humble, bizarre and wonderful pangolin – there is nothing else like it, anywhere, and for that reason alone we should redouble our efforts to eradicate the illegal trade that leaves its future so perilous.

“If a pangolin can really exist, perhaps anything is possible!”  

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Mutanga, a comrade we will all live to remember

 By Robert Zvidza

The sad news of his death descended on me and rest of The Outpost crew with a piercing pain of an injection needle. I was away in Vhumba, Manicaland Province shooting a crime action movie –Vicious Circle. I recalled vividly his last call on my phone the previous day, which came exactly at 10:09 on 10 April 2021.

“Zvii (that’s how he used to address me)...mazuvano unongonditsvaga kana wakuda article yako chete,” he said bursting into that laughter that made him a larger than life character- always bubbly. In reality, it had been a while since we had last talked over the phone and felt a twinge of guilt. But when I explained to him that I was out of town, he understood it as he always believed in my passion for filming, journalism and television production.

In his phone call, he was asking for directions to Aqua View - a police facility at Lake Chivero – where he intended to spend the day with his wife and kids.

He loved the ZRP having been born and bred within its precincts –Tomlinson Depot - where his father –Ex-Assistant Inspector John Mutanga-used to stay during his service in the police.

I directed him to the facility. He later spent that day with his family and unfortunately met his demise on his way back home.

When I learnt of his unfortunate accident, I felt like I had directed him to his deathbed and that our phone call was like his goodbye message to me.

I was devastated and the Vicious Circle cast and crew shared their sorrow with me as I repeatedly went over our conversation recorded on my cell phone.

That was Dr Andrew Mutanga’s character; he would touch everyone’s life in different ways. To The Outpost crew, he was a fellow writer, to the readers; he gave that comprehensive advice and awareness on livestock which he shared unconditionally to all who would call him. To his family and relatives, he was a loving son, father, uncle, brother and a pillar of strength. And to his friends and fellow patrons at his favourite joints, he was a free-spirited socialite who loved fun and workmates- a hard worker and an ocean of knowledge.

Our friendship had grown over the years ever since Editor; The Outpost approved him as a columnist for the magazine in 2014. We had become more of brothers than friends and would visit each other at our homes. I remember having several barbecue outings at his place and he would also visit my place for musoro wembudzi nemakumbo acho.

On several occasions we would hangout at PPU Officers Mess or The Centurion at Harare Sports Club where we used to watch English Premier League Matches (we were both Manchester United die-hards)

All that is a thing of the past as Dr Mutanga was taken away from us tragically at a tender age of 36, in that unfortunate horror crash at Kuwadzana Extension turn –off.

His vehicle- Mazda Excella was side swiped by another vehicle that was trying to get into the highway from Kuwadzana Extension and he parked safely and disembarked to assess the damage to his car. As he was assessing the damage on his vehicle which was minor though, a UD truck came and crushed into him and his vehicle and was dragged and was thrown into a nearby maize field. In such a painful manner on 11 April 2021 and precisely at 0130hrs at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals Dr Mutanga was taken away from us. To make matters worse, his wife and three children were with him and survived the horror crush with minor injuries.

I was part of the people who gathered to pay their last respect to the veterinary doctor at his last resting place in Chinyoka Village, Chief Dotito, Mt Darwin. He was indeed a person loved by all around him. His friends, workmates, relatives, fellow patrons including religious leaders spoke glowingly of his loving character and persona.

He was a young man who had a bright future ahead of him which was promising.

“I am devastated,” said his father Mr Mutanga on the sidelines of his burial site.

“My pillar of strength has been taken away. If I had been asked to choose who to take among the Mutangas, I would not have chosen Andrew, probably I would have given up myself in his place because I have lived my life and he needed to live his own life too...” he said.

Dr Mutanga was a graduate of Bradley High School in 2003 and received his Bachelor of Veterinary Science Degree from University of Zimbabwe in 2010. He had other post-graduate qualifications in Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluations. At the time of his death he was pursuing Masters’ degree in Public Health (MPH) and Business Administration (MBA).

He worked as an associate veterinarian at Highlands Veterinary Surgery from 2010 to 2015. He was employed by Heifer International Zimbabwe as an Animal well-being Livestock Technical Advisor from 2015 up to the time of his death. He was also Livestock Advisor for the EXTRA Project under the FAO managed livelihoods and Food Security Programme and also worked with the Technical Advisory Team for Review of the World Bank Climate Smart Agriculture Investment Plan (CSAIP-Zimbabwe)

His interest included family and friends gatherings. He devoted much of his time providing animal health and livestock awareness activities through writing articles for the ZRP and social media platforms.

As I write this obituary, we draw a lot of lessons from his life –despite his education he remained humble and socialised with everyone yet he kept increasing his knowledge through education. He was always there to share his knowledge with everyone at no cost. Indeed a candle does not lose its lustre by lighting another. He was in love with his family which he sacrificed nice times with. Family is the reason why we toil day and night as such let’s enjoy together with them. Instead of being strangers to our wives and children, lets bond and become bosom friends.

Dr Mutanga is survived by his wife Avalone Mutanga nee Gwaze, his two sons Denzel (9) and Drew (6) and Daughter Savanna (2). May his soul rest in peace.

Vicious Circle Synopsis with STEPHEN Mutsago Movie produced by Robert Zvidza