As Zimbabwean police continue their crackdown on drug abuse across the country, residents of Mbare are questioning why their local councillor, Simbarashe “Boss Dhama” Chanachimwe, remains untouched despite widespread allegations that he is one of Zimbabwe’s biggest drug suppliers.
Chanachimwe, popularly known as Boss Dama or Dhama, is the Zanu PF councillor for Ward 3 in Mbare. His name has often been mentioned in connection with drug dealing in the high-density suburb, where substance abuse has destroyed many lives, especially among the youth.
Police have, in recent months, arrested scores of suspected drug peddlers in Harare and other parts of the country as part of a national anti-drug campaign. But critics say the operation appears selective.
Minister of Youth and Zanu PF Politburo Member, Hon. Tinoda Machakaire, confirmed that some senior party officials are involved in drug and substance abuse while hiding behind the party for protection.
“We have a lot of issues to address, but this one is very important — the issue of drugs and substance abuse. It is high time we deal with it seriously. Drugs are killing us and destroying our nation.
“On 3 September 2025, we launched our first march addressing the issue of drugs, which was led by Her Excellency, the First Lady, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa. From that moment, we committed ourselves to act, and we must start now,” Minister Machakaire said.
In February 2023, police confirmed recovering several sachets of marijuana and a dagga plant at a location said to be linked to Chanachimwe. He was arrested, appeared in court, and later released on bail. Despite the case, he successfully contested and won the Ward 3 seat in the August 2023 elections under the Zanu PF ticket.
Since then, there has been little public information about the outcome of his court case, and his alleged drug base remains a topic of conversation in the community.
Calls are growing for authorities to demonstrate impartiality in their enforcement of drug laws and to take action against anyone involved regardless of political position.
