Swift Bail And Light Fine For Chinese Cocaine Case Angers Zimbabweans
Zimbabweans have reacted with anger after nine Chinese nationals convicted of illegal possession of cocaine were fined just US$150 (about R2,700) each, with the option of a six-month prison sentence. The case, reported by Daily News on Saturday, 13 September 2025, has attracted attention because the group had earlier been swiftly granted bail when they first appeared in court on 3 September 2025.
Their case has been resolved in less than two weeks, while many Zimbabweans accused of far smaller offences spend months in remand prison without bail and face lengthy trials.
Public figures question justice system
Prominent lawyer and opposition figure Fadzayi Mahere drew attention to the case when she posted on X at 8:06 AM on 13 September 2025, saying:
“
Just look. Don’t comment.”
Her post, which has since been viewed more than 14,000 times, was widely shared and sparked fierce debate online.
Former Education Minister David Coltart expressed his frustration later that morning, posting at 9:42 AM:
“How is this possible that foreigners, indeed anyone, are convicted of illegal possession of cocaine and only sentenced to a US$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.”
Other public figures and commentators joined in, questioning how the judiciary could impose such a light penalty for possession of a dangerous drug.
Swift bail and rapid sentencing
The nine were arrested during a police raid in Harare on 3 September 2025, where cocaine, methamphetamine, and other substances were allegedly recovered at a party. They appeared in court the following day, 4 September 2025, and were swiftly granted bail after spending only one night in custody.
For many Zimbabweans, the speed of both bail and sentencing stood out. Several highlighted that locals accused of carrying even a single joint of cannabis can languish in custody for months without bail. The contrast was not lost on social media users.
On Facebook, user Tonderai Chipindu wrote:
“2 mins bail asi muzimba anogariswa mwedzi ne mwedzi asat apiwa bail
(2 minutes bail yet a Zimbabwean national stays for months and months without being granted bail).”
Another user, Mai Mumu Chigz, described what happens in ordinary cases:
“Bail padombo necocaine Zimbabwe yakadonhera butsu
nhasi uno munhu anosungirwa dombo 1gram chairo hayipuhwe bail straight ku Reeds onoita gore ariko ozoti 30gr opuhwa bail
(Bail for cocaine in Zimbabwe has collapsed. These days a person caught with just 1 gram is denied bail and sent straight to Remand Prison for a year, yet someone with 30 grams is given bail).”
The rapid conclusion of the case—less than two weeks after the initial arrest—was also criticised, with many pointing out that Zimbabweans often face years waiting for trial.
Citizens decry double standards
Ordinary Zimbabweans took to X and Facebook to compare the punishment with much harsher sentences given to locals.
Oscar Ndaba Pambuka, posting from Harare on 13 September 2025, 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.”
Keith Km Matora observed the inequality:
“Zim citizen caught with 1 joint of weed u pay US$20. This is a joke. We don’t know how many grams of cocaine those guys were with and they pay 150. Guka boys 15 years mukati.”
Others compared the case to unrelated crimes. Josiah Mawarire remarked:
“10 years for cable theft kkk.”
In another post, Humphrey Rhodings Mavimba recalled:
“And a Zimbabwean found with cannabis was jailed 10 years in prison without option.”
The relatively small fine and short court process led many to question whether the law was applied equally to all. Denford Chikanga summed up the public mood:
“Then the possibility is very very high they will continue dealing… what’s US$150 to druglords?”
Many citizens also pointed out that in China, similar offences often carry the death penalty, while in Zimbabwe, the suspects walked away with a fine.
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The post Zimbabweans Outraged As 9 Chinese Nationals Fined Only $150 Each For Cocaine appeared first on iHarare News.
