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Peter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
Police have arrested three suspected drug dealers in Southerton, Harare and seized Broncleer, a cough syrup with high alcoholic content with an estimated street value of US$20 000. The syrup commonly known as “Bronco’’ is a prescription cough syrup used to temporarily treat cough, chest congestion and stuffy nose symptoms caused by the common cold, hay fever, or other breathing illnesses and was smuggled from South Africa.

The syrup is, however, being widely abused by youths in Zimbabwe.
The three suspects are Dzingirai Mufabeni (40) the driver of the truck and two accomplices Wadzanai Nhau (30) and Merci Muza (21).
According to national spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi, the three suspected drug peddlers were nabbed on Christmas Eve after a tip off.

“The three suspects were arrested while offloading 111 boxes, each stashed with 100ml of Broncleer at a house in Southerton,” he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi said the trio has since appeared at the Harare Magistrate’s Courts for possessing the cough syrup without a valid licence.
He said Nhau and Muza were fined US$200 and US$300 or six months in prison respectively, while their accomplice Mufabeni was remanded to January 20 on US$60 bail.

Abuse of prescription drugs and pills is on the increase amongst youths in high-density areas in Harare.
The abuse of cough syrups, particularly “Bronco” is popular with youths of both sexes between the ages of 15 to 35.

Broncleer is meant to alleviate colds, coughs and allergies, but some people are finding pleasure in downing 50ml to 100ml at once instead of the prescribed 10ml at a time for adults. In Zimbabwe the sugary drug can only be sold to individuals in possession of a medical prescription.

In pharmacies a 100ml bottle of Bron cleer costs between US$4 and US$5, but on the streets it is being sold for only US$3 per 100ml bottle.