Apostolic Sect Teacher Jailed After Police Discover Dagga and Crystal Meth in School Quarters

ZAKA, Zimbabwe – A teacher affiliated with an apostolic sect has been sentenced to eight months in prison after police uncovered dagga and crystal methamphetamine hidden inside his school staff quarters in Zaka District.

The conviction of 47-year-old Shadreck Chitsama, a teacher at Jinjika Secondary School, has sparked widespread reaction on social media amid growing national concern over drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe. Chitsama appeared before Zaka Magistrate Grace Tupiri on May 28, 2026, facing charges of unlawful possession of dagga and possession of crystal meth, commonly known as "mutoriro." The court found him guilty on both counts.

For unlawful possession of dagga, Chitsama was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, with two months suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period. On the crystal meth charge, he received an eight-month prison sentence, with two months suspended on the same conditions. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively, resulting in an effective eight-month jail term.

According to prosecutor Davyson Mavenga, detectives from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Zaka acted on intelligence received from members of the public regarding suspected drug activities at the school. At approximately 1 pm on May 12, 2026, officers proceeded to Jinjika Secondary School armed with a search warrant. Police encountered Chitsama before reaching his residence and informed him of the search. During a search of his person, officers allegedly recovered a sachet of dagga from his left trouser pocket.

Following the discovery, Chitsama was arrested and escorted by officers to his staff quarters.

The subsequent search uncovered additional drugs hidden throughout the house. In the living room, police recovered another sachet of dagga concealed beneath a sofa. Loose dagga wrapped in black plastic was later found among shoes near an electricity meter after being discovered by Chitsama's wife, Learnmore Gondo.

The most serious discovery came in the main bedroom, where officers allegedly found two sachets of crystal methamphetamine hidden inside a black Monarch bag stored in a wardrobe. Several empty drug sachets were also recovered from the wardrobe. A further sachet of crystal meth was discovered beneath another sofa in the house. All recovered substances were taken to Jerera ZimPost for weighing and processing as evidence.

The case comes as Zimbabwe continues to intensify its nationwide crackdown on drug and substance abuse under the Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030). Authorities have repeatedly warned that crystal meth, locally known as mutoriro, has become one of the country's fastest-growing drug threats, particularly among young people. Law enforcement agencies have urged members of the public to continue reporting suspected drug dealers and users as part of efforts to combat the growing drug crisis. Investigators told the court that Chitsama did not possess any permit, licence, or legal authority to possess either dagga or crystal meth.

Zaka teacher drug arrest