Three arrested with unregistered medicines, clothes in Mashonaland Central

By Southerton Business Times | Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe | August 9, 2026

POLICE in Mashonaland Central have arrested three people after allegedly intercepting them with unregistered medicines and undeclared bales of second-hand clothes during a roadblock along the Harare-Mukumbura Road.

The suspects were arrested on August 6, 2026, at about 6.29 am at the 40.5-kilometre peg along the highway, according to Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe. The suspects were identified as Artwell Sixpence, 27, of Mupangira Village under Chief Musana in Bindura; Mejury Mupeusa, 29, of O-31 Tsungubvi, Glendale; and Memory Sixpence, 33, of Number 992 Rujeko, Glendale. Mundembe said officers from the ZRP Mazowe Traffic Support Unit and CID were conducting a security roadblock when they stopped a white Suzuki hatchback travelling from Harare.

A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered several boxes of cough expectorants and three bales of second-hand clothing. Police said the recovered medicines included four boxes containing 20 bottles each of 100ml Novalyn Cough Expectorant, as well as four boxes containing 50 bottles each of 100ml Fenelyn Expectorant. Three bales of second-hand clothes were also allegedly recovered from the vehicle.

Police probe source of medicines

According to police, Artwell Sixpence told investigators that he was transporting the two women and the goods from Harare to Glendale. The two women allegedly told police that they had purchased the second-hand clothing at Mupedzanhamo Market in Harare. They reportedly said they had collected the medicines from an unidentified person who instructed them to deliver the products in Glendale to another person known to them only through a cellphone number.

Police have launched investigations to establish the source of the medicines, who supplied them, and their intended recipient. The three suspects were taken to ZRP Mazowe for documentation and are facing charges under Section 29 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act, according to police. The exact legal allegations against each suspect will be determined through the court process.

Police warn against unregulated medicines

Mundembe urged members of the public to avoid abusing medicines and warned against involvement in drug-related activities.

“We appeal to all members of the public with information about drug dealings to contact the police. The information will be treated with confidentiality,” he said.

The arrests come amid continued efforts by law enforcement authorities to disrupt the movement and distribution of controlled or unregistered medicines and other substances.

Unregulated medicines can pose public-health risks because consumers may not know whether products have been properly manufactured, stored, transported or authorised for sale. Authorities have repeatedly encouraged members of the public to obtain medicines through legitimate and regulated channels. Police said investigations into the Mashonaland Central case are continuing, particularly to establish the source and intended recipient of the medicines. The three suspects have not been convicted of any offence and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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