Ex-PSL Star Nabbed in US$78K Dagga Bust
By Loyd Matare
A former Premier Soccer League (PSL) player, Tumirai Matsika (29), popularly known in football circles as Brian Abbas Amidu, has been arrested alongside Kudzai Mhlanga (41) for allegedly trafficking 780 kilograms of dagga worth an estimated US$78,000.
The pair appeared before the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court after police detectives intercepted their silver Honda Fit Shuttle (registration AGP 6776) along the Kwekwe–Kadoma Highway near the Gokwe turn-off.
According to police, the operation was triggered by a tip-off received on October 4, 2025, indicating that the two suspects were ferrying dagga from Kwekwe to Harare.
Detectives launched a surveillance mission and caught the duo in the act of loading shrink-wrapped packets of dagga into the vehicle.
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Upon searching the car, officers recovered 75 tightly wrapped packets of dagga concealed in black plastic. Investigations later revealed that both men were unemployed and allegedly part of a larger drug trafficking network operating across several provinces.
It also emerged that Matsika who previously played professional football is already facing similar charges at Epworth Magistrates’ Court (CRB EPW 407/25) and Harare Central Police Station (CR 636/03/25).
In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests, saying:
“The ZRP confirms the arrest of soccer players, Tumirai Matsika, also known as Abas Amidu (29), and Reuben Kudzai Mhlanga (41), for drug trafficking.
“The two were found in possession of 750kg of dagga valued at USD75,000 in a silver Honda Shuttle vehicle along the Kwekwe–Kadoma Highway on 03/10/25. Meanwhile, the ZRP also arrested Prosper Mphofu (48) at Trabablas Interchange after receiving a parcel containing 60kg of dagga worth USD6,000 from a certain vehicle.”
Both Matsika and Mhlanga have been remanded in custody to October 7, 2025, pending their bail application.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has since welcomed the arrests, saying such cases demonstrate the country’s “uncompromising stance” against drug trafficking.
“The NPAZ commends law enforcement efforts in dismantling drug supply chains threatening community wellbeing.
“Prosecution will be pursued vigorously to ensure deterrent sentences for offenders involved in narcotics,” the authority said in a statement.
Police say investigations are ongoing as they track other members believed to be linked to the syndicate.
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