Harare – June 8, 2025 — The Zimbabwean government has officially banned the production and distribution of illicit alcoholic brews, commonly known as “musombodhiya” or “kambwa,” through a new legal instrument aimed at curbing substance abuse in the country.
The prohibition was enacted under Statutory Instrument 62 of 2025, an amendment to the Harmful Liquids Act, and was issued by the Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe. The notice, titled Harmful Liquids Act (Amendment of Schedule to Act) Notice, 2025, adds to the existing list of banned substances under the Act.
According to the statutory instrument, “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.’”
The move follows mounting pressure from citizens and civil society groups demanding stronger measures against the production and consumption of illegal brews and harmful substances such as methamphetamine, also known locally as guka, mutoriro, or dombo.
In response to the broader crisis of drug and alcohol abuse—particularly among the youth—the government has established an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate nationwide efforts. This includes plans for the construction of rehabilitation centres and the implementation of preventive and recovery programs.
Stakeholders have welcomed the ban but stressed the importance of addressing root causes. Calls have grown louder for the government to roll out income-generating projects for unemployed youth, as widespread idleness has been linked to increased substance abuse.
The government’s latest action is part of a growing strategy to combat Zimbabwe’s escalating public health and social crisis linked to drug and alcohol misuse.
