Government Bans ‘Musombodhiya’ and Other Illegal Alcohol Brews
The Zimbabwean government has officially banned the production of dangerous homemade alcohols such as musombodhiya and kambwa. These unregulated drinks—often brewed in backyards and known for their high alcohol content and toxic ingredients—have now been outlawed under a new legal instrument.
The ban was issued through Statutory Instrument 62 of 2025, an amendment to the Harmful Liquids Act, by the Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe. The new law states that any unregulated, unauthorised, or illegally produced alcohol, especially those known by street names like musombodhiya or kambwa, is now strictly prohibited.
“The Schedule to the Act is amended by the insertion after item 9 (‘Nipa’) of the following item: ‘Any unregulated, unauthorised or illegally produced alcoholic beverages containing ethanol, colloquially referred to by such names as kambwa, musombodhiya or by any other name whatsoever,” reads part of the SI.
This move comes after growing concern from communities across the country, with many urging the government to act against the rise of dangerous alcohol brews and drugs such as methamphetamine, known locally as guka, mutoriro, or dombo.
The cheap and easily accessible substances have been blamed for ruining lives, particularly among the youth, with some suffering serious health effects or even dying after consuming the toxic concoctions.
In response, authorities have formed an inter-ministerial committee to deal with the crisis of drug and alcohol abuse. The government also announced plans to build rehabilitation centres, which would help people recover and reintegrate into society.
But while banning dangerous brews is a step forward, some people argue that the root causes of the crisis also need to be addressed.
Community leaders and concerned citizens say many young people are turning to drugs and alcohol because they have nothing to do. With unemployment and poverty rising, they believe the government should invest more in income-generating projects and skills training for the youth.
Follow Us on Google News for Immediate Updates
The post Government Bans ‘Musombodhiya’ and Other Illegal Alcohol Brews appeared first on iHarare News.
