“Drugs and Moral Decay”: Hulengende and Malloti Named in Parliament

Harare — Zvimba South legislator, Honourable Member of Parliament Malinganiso Taurai Dexter, has sounded a strong warning in Parliament over what he described as the growing influence of social media personalities promoting drug and substance abuse among Zimbabwe’s youth.

Rising on a matter of national importance, the MP commended ongoing government efforts led by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and the Second Republic to combat drug abuse through awareness campaigns, national programs, and enforcement measures. He acknowledged these initiatives as critical in safeguarding the country’s future, particularly for young people.

However, Dexter cautioned that these efforts are being undermined by a troubling rise in online content that glorifies drug use. He singled out social media influencers and entertainers, including Hulengende and Malloti, accusing them of using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to normalize substance abuse.

The MP expressed concern over explicit and vulgar language used in such content, particularly in vernacular forms, warning that it erodes societal values. He further highlighted the open display and promotion of illegal substances like marijuana, as well as the misuse of prescription drugs such as codeine-based medicines, which he said are increasingly being abused recreationally.

“More disturbing,” Dexter noted, “are instances where such conduct is carried out in the presence of children, including newborns, thereby normalizing deviant behavior within the domestic space.”

He also cited incidents where public figures allegedly distributed illegal substances during live broadcasts, trivializing both the law and the serious consequences of drug abuse.

Addressing fellow legislators, Dexter emphasized that Parliament has a duty beyond economic and political oversight, describing it as a “guardian of the nation’s moral compass.” He warned that failure to act decisively could reverse gains made in combating drug abuse and lead to increased indiscipline and moral decline among young people.

To address the issue, the MP called for tighter regulation and monitoring of harmful digital content, stronger enforcement of existing drug and cyber laws, and strict penalties for offenders regardless of their social status. He also urged collaboration between government agencies, regulators, and social media platforms to curb the spread of harmful content.

Additionally, Dexter stressed the need to promote responsible digital citizenship, arguing that influencers must be held accountable for the societal impact of their actions.

“As a nation, we must be deliberate about the image we project to the world and the values we instill in our people,” he said. “Influence must be a tool for nation-building, not a weapon of social destruction.”

The remarks come amid growing concern over the role of digital platforms in shaping youth behavior and the increasing visibility of drug-related content online.