Police nab dangerous drug peddler

By Nqobile Tshili

Police in Bulawayo have arrested a woman from Gwabalanda suburb for allegedly illegally selling and distributing an addictive cough syrup commonly known as broncho.

The cough mixture has a high alcohol content and is popular with youths.

Sithembile Sibanda (44) was arrested at her home following a tip off from members of the public.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said Sibanda was found with seven cases of the cough syrup.

“She is suspected to have been distributing the cough syrup to other dealers and school children. The police acting on a tip off raided her home and discovered the seven boxes containing the 50 by 100millitres of the substance worth $1 000,” said Insp Simango.

She said Sibanda who is not employed will appear in court soon.

Insp Simango said what was worrying was that the substance was being abused by youths.

“Some teenagers end up committing violent crimes or indulging in risky sex after taking the substance,” said Insp Simango.

Earlier this year, police arrested six family members believed to be part of a syndicate that has been selling drugs to school children in Bulawayo.

The drug peddlers were arrested following early morning raids at four houses in Entumbane and in Gwabalanda suburb on Tuesday.

Jane Ndlovu (37) popularly known to her under-age customers as MaHadebe, her husband Pholani Ndlovu (41) their son 17, Marvellous Nzima (25) and Archbell Phiri (18), all of Entumbane suburb and Stanley Ndapota (32) appeared in court and got away with fines.

Police raided their homes and found small quantities of the drugs.

The raid followed a story in The Chronicle detailing how three pupils from Msiteli High School nearly died and were admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital after taking pink pills which MaHadebe had sold to them

It is suspected the pills are used to stabilise violent mental patients. Chronicle