The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sunday News Correspondent
ACROSS the world authorities routinely close nightclubs because of allegations that drugs are openly sold and taken on their premises.
It is believed that door staff and security personnel at these clubs are in concert with drug dealers and together are making huge amounts in illegal profits.
But how widespread exactly is the problem in Zimbabwe in general and Bulawayo in particular?
Bulawayo has several upmarket night clubs for the “discerning” who are almost always financially capacitated. And it is these
“hustlers, players and ballers” that are targeted for upmarket drugs such cocaine and ecstasy.
In principle, no club owner wants their spot associated with drug dealing, but sometimes the same club owners are accused of being cash rolling “runners” to deal drugs on their behalf.
It is apparent to anyone that drugs are a problem in many nightclubs across the country.
Each year in Zimbabwe, young people die or get hospitalised as a result of taking illegal drugs in nightclubs or other drug dens.
The illegal drugs which are popular in nightclubs are primarily Class A drugs like ecstasy, powder and crack cocaine, crystal meth, skunk (a marijuana variant) and rohypnol or roofers.
Illegally manufactured drugs like ecstasy are a hazard as bad batches can be particularly dangerous and there is also the continual risk of overdose occurring within a nightclub environment.
The use in nightclubs of Class A drugs must also be a concern as they can be used as date rape drugs.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Zimbabwe has more of the crack variant than the powder option.
While powder cocaine is smoked, snorted or injected, crack is typically only smoked. Reports say powder is sold for between US$75 and US$100 for a hit while crack rocks which typically weigh between one and three grams go for between US$3 and US$50.
Prices for both forms of cocaine are dependent on purity of the product.
When it comes to nightclubs, fights can at times be quite violent and chairs and bottles can be thrown or used as weapons. Inevitably this can lead to injuries and sometimes even death.
However, the behaviour of the nightclub
“bouncers” at times can be a little better.
Rather than helping to maintain order in nightclubs, some bouncers themselves appear to be part of the problem.
Over the years, there have been several videos on various social media platforms showing bouncers assaulting clubbers where it is quite clear such behaviour is completely unnecessary.
At most clubs, vendors who sell their wares just outside these nightclubs are popular “plugs” for low-end marijuana smokers.
Many will peddle a marijuana variant called bush or Malawi as well as the “high grade” skunk.
However, the high-end dealers rub shoulders with celebrities and the powerful in society.
Many have gained an almost celebrity status themselves and are often seen driving the nicest cars in the company of the “hottest chicks” hanging on their arms.
Word in the streets of Bulawayo is that a suspected drug dealer has been hobnobbing with local celebrities and socialites at a newly opened night spot in town.
According to a retired bouncer who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, the nightclub security industry in Zimbabwe has been almost entirely corrupted by drug dealers.
Nightclub doormen are routinely involved either in dealing in drugs themselves or are knowingly allowing drug dealers to operate.
According to the retired bouncer, the corruption extends as far as some police who are prepared to look the other way when it comes to profitable criminal activity.
Knowing how seamy some of these nightclubs can be and of how notoriously unreliable the nightclub security can be, you have to ask yourself, are you really happy to allow your teenage daughters or sons to spend most of the night while under the influence of alcohol and possibly also illegal drugs, in establishments such as these? — @RealSimbaJemwa
