The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has once again arrested Norah Makwavarara, a Harare-based female drug dealer, marking her third arrest in just under a year.
In an official statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of the 40-year-old, also known as Mai Toga, for the possession of dangerous drugs.
Mai Toga’s legal troubles began on February 25, 2023, when she was initially arrested for unlawfully possessing 10x100ml of Benylin cough syrup, 9x100ml of Broncleer cough syrup, 8x100ml of Adco-Salterpyn cough syrup, and three grams of crystal meth known as mutoriro.
Despite being out on bail, Makwavarara found herself in handcuffs again on May 6 of the same year, this time for the unlawful possession of crystal meth. She was returned to the Harare Magistrates Court and remanded out of custody until March of this year for the continuation of her trial.
However, on August 2, she failed to appear before the Harare Magistrate Court for the continuation of her first trial, leading to the issuance of a warrant for her arrest.
Unfazed by her previous run-ins with the law, on January 13 of this year, Makwavarara was arrested once more for being found in possession of 0.053 kg of crystal meth, valued at $5,300,000.
A part of the official statement confirming her recent arrest reads:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Norah Makwavarara (40) aka Mai Toga and Dexter Muteredhe (34) in two separate incidents in Harare. On 13 January 2024 detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics, Harare acted on received information and arrested Norah Makwavarara at 13 Narsham Flat along Baines Avenue, Harare for possession of 0.053 kilograms of Chrystal Meth with a street value of ZW$5 300 000.00.”
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi indicated that Makwavarara was brought to court on Monday and remanded in custody until the following day for a bail application. It is unclear at the time of writing if she was released or remanded in custody.
Nyathi also disclosed that on the same day that Makwavarara was picked up, another suspect, Dexter Muteredhe, was also arrested at Alban Court, corner of Blackstone and Fife Avenue in Harare for unlawful possession of 48 grams of crystal meth.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is encouraging the public to continue reporting illicit drug activities by reaching out to the police through the national complaints desk number (0242) 703631 or reporting to the nearest police station
