Nine Chinese nationals arrested in connection with a drug bust in Newlands, Harare, were each fined US$150 by the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, with the alternative of a six-month prison sentence.
The light penalties have drawn criticism from some prominent Zimbabweans who argue they fail to send a strong message against drug abuse.
The accused were apprehended on 02 September 2025 following a police raid at 60 Knightsbridge Road, Newlands, prompted by a tip-off about all-night parties.
During the operation, police found the men taking turns to sniff cocaine off a wooden tray, using a golden playing card to cut the white powder.
Additional drugs, including benzodiazepam and methamphetamine, were also recovered, with the total value estimated at over US$1,060.
The group was named as Huang Zhen (39), Yu Hefe (35), Dong Yunmel (27), Yang Wanwan (29), Wu Yuejun (46), Yang Qin (29), Fang Yue (36), Sun Jie (36), Yao Wenming (40), and Li Zhongju (31).
Huang Zhen, alleged to be the ringleader, remains in custody after being denied bail, while the others were released after paying fines.
Harare Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe convicted the nine for possessing dangerous drugs but described the quantity of cocaine recovered as “insignificant,” ruling that a harsher sentence would be improper.
Critics argue the fines are too lenient given Zimbabwe’s growing drug problem and question whether such penalties are sufficient to deter substance abuse.
Commenting on the sentence, former ZBC presenter Oscar Pambuka, who is a former drug addict, said:
“So you are telling me that the Chinese who were found with cocaine were fined 150 dollars only. What happened to the statutory instrument of 15 years?
“If these guys were in China, all of them were going to die. 150 dollars ma funnies and I am not happy at all.”
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart expressed shock that the same justice system which allowed an innocent man like Job Sikhala to spend over 500 days in jail handed the Chinese nationals a mere US$150 fine for illegal possession of cocaine. Said Coltart:
“How is this possible that foreigners, indeed anyone, are convicted of illegal possession of cocaine and only sentenced to a $150 fine?
“Is there anything credible left in our justice system? The same system allows people like an innocent man [Job Sikhala] to rot in prison for over 500 days for exercising his constitutional rights of freedom of expression?
“Something is terribly wrong in #Zimbabwe.”
