Ex-footballers jailed 12 years each over 750 kg dagga
Two former footballers were each sentenced to 12 years in prison in Zimbabwe for dealing in dagga. Police said the pair were caught on the Kwekwe-Kadoma Highway with 750 kg of dagga valued at USD 75,000.
Former Kaizer Chiefs and Black Leopards forward Abbas Amidu was sentenced to 12
years’ imprisonment in Zimbabwe after being convicted of dealing in dangerous
drugs (dagga), months after his arrest in October 2025.[1]He and fellow
former footballer Kudzai Mhlanga, also known as Reuben Mhlanga, were convicted
of dealing in dangerous drugs, namely dagga.[2][3]Amidu, listed by authorities
under the name Tumai Matsika, had been denied bail after his arrest when the
State opposed release, calling him a flight risk while investigations continued.[1][4][3][5]The two appeared in the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court on the Monday after the arrest and were remanded in custody pending a bail application.[5]
Police apprehended the pair, aged 29 and 41, on 3 October 2025 along the
Kwekwe-Kadoma Highway in a silver Honda Shuttle, registration AGP 6776.[6]Police said the two were found in possession of 750 kg of dagga in the vehicle,
which police valued at USD 75,000.[6]Detectives found the dagga in 75 packets wrapped in black plastic inside the silver Honda Shuttle.[5]
Amidu and his co-accused Kudzai (Reuben) Mhlanga were each sentenced to 12
years’ imprisonment after appearing in court for possession of the dagga haul,
reported as worth about US$75,000 (about R1.2 million).[1]Police announced
the arrest, conviction and sentencing together, saying the two appeared in court
on 24 February 2026 and were each sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.[1]Prosecutors described the seizure as one of the largest in the Midlands province that year, according to The Herald.[5]
The arrests followed a tip-off, after which detectives intercepted Amidu and Mhlanga just outside Kwekwe.[7][3]The two are suspected of being part of a larger drug trafficking syndicate operating across several provinces in Zimbabwe.[7]
The bail hearing was held in the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court, the same court where they later faced the dagga charge.[4][3]Police alleged that Amidu used multiple aliases and had pending cases in Epworth and Harare under different identities to evade detection.[4]
Photos and video
Police handout photo of Brian Abbas Amidu and Kudzai Mhlanga, sentenced after being arrested with the dagga haul. Photo: Zimbabwe Republic Police via IOLPhoto details
IOL / The Stariol.co.zaA former Kaizer Chiefs player is accused of drug trafficking in Zimbabwe
Open questions the AI reported
Later court reporting described the haul as 780 kg worth about US$78,000, against the police figure of 750 kg worth USD 75,000 used here; the police figure is used because it is the official seizure account.
One later court account dates the interception to 4 October 2025 while the police statement gives 3 October 2025; the police date is used.
The sources vary the suspects' names and spellings (Tumai/Tumirai Matsika, Abbas/Abas/Brian Abbas Amidu; Kudzai/Reuben Mhlanga); the report uses the sentencing-report forms.
The sentencing court is not named in the opened sources; only the 24 February 2026 sentencing date is reported.
The arrest report also mentions a separate arrest of Prosper Mphofu with 60 kg of dagga at Trabablas Interchange; that is a different event left out here.
This article's opening paragraph gives the haul as 780 kg, while the Zimbabwe Republic Police statement quoted further down gives 750 kg; the report uses the police figure.
No source says when the bail hearing took place, whether the court gave reasons for refusing bail, or what it considered, other than that the pair would remain in custody pending trial.
Zimbabwe police named seven people sentenced for unlawful possession of dagga as part of 25 convictions announced in a nationwide crackdown. The dagga sentences ranged from six months to 36 months, while other cases involved dangerous drugs, unregistered medicines and an immigration offence.
Police in Chipinge arrested Maria Mawacha, Gremma Mutema and Simon Sithole after 357 dagga plants were found in maize fields and gardens. Mawacha pleaded guilty and received 36 months with suspensions and 580 hours community service, while charges against Mutema were withdrawn and Sithole awaits sentence.
The Chinhoyi Magistrates' Court sentenced Aristotle Keith Mabvira to an effective 30 months in prison for possessing 1.055 kg of dagga recovered from his room. Six months of the 36-month term were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Arrested 1Cannabis 1.055 kgPrison 30 months (six months suspended for five years)
Zimbabwe's information minister said 2,889 people accused of drug offences had been brought before the courts and 381 convictions secured under the government's drug abuse crackdown, and that 31 drug bases in Manicaland and Mashonaland West provinces were dismantled. He gave the value of all drugs confiscated, dagga among them, as about ZiG79.9 million.