BOOMING KHAT TRADE A STONE AWAY FROM MANZINI POLICE STATION
The corner of Louw and Tenbergen streets embodies both the positive and the negative aspects of being part of the so called global village. A café synonymous with Ethiopian cuisine battles with a reputation as being at the center of the khat trade.
A place known for providing free meals to the needy on Saturday’s is now a hangout for khat users. Khat, according to the American Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), is a flowering evergreen shrub which is abused for its stimulant like effects.
Individuals chew khat leaves because of their stimulant and euphoric effects, which are similar to, but less intense than, those resulting from the abuse of cocaine or methamphetamine. The leaf starts to lose its properties the second it is plucked from the branch, and so must be sold quickly, or else its value dissipates. In Africa, it is grown in central Kenya and in Ethiopia, with both countries exporting the leaves to Somalia.
Independent investigations and interviews with users have revealed that the shrub enhances male sexual performance, though studies have found that khat or mirra (as it is also known) is linked to high blood pressure, constipation, anorexia and erectile dysfunction.
Though the drug is assumed to be somewhat harmless it has been associated with a psychosis similar to amphetamine psychosis. The shrub grows naturally in Southern and Eastern Africa supporting claims by our sources that some of the merchants are growing khat locally whilst others obtain it from neighbouring countries.
Our sieve-like borders offer drug smuggling syndicates ample room to move their illicit goods into the country, a nation that is battling to provide its citizens with proper medical care. The activities taking place at Oliveira Centre, though for the moment only involve people from the Horn of Africa and a few locals who have developed a taste for the drug, pose a grave threat to our society, particularly since such illegal activities are taking place directly opposite Saint Theresa’s High School.
Khat merchant pictured in Kenya (pic sourced from Aljazeera).
Human beings are, unfortunately, as predictable as we are unpredictable. Difficult situations such as the poor state of the economy, inflation and food insecurity along with other forms of stress drive substance abuse, as members of society seek means to at least momentarily escape reality.
The audacity of these khat merchants openly selling an illegal substance a stone through from a police station speaks volumes of the caliber of immigrants, legal or otherwise, who find their way into the country, veritable fortune hunters for whom eSwatini is a land of opportunity. They also expose the drug enforcement laws of th country and the agencies tasked with the job.
As one Observer told The Bridge News, it would not be fair to condemn the Royal Eswatini Police as yet perhaps their investigations into the matter are ongoing. Perhaps they have more pressing matters, whatever those may be to attend to.
"We cannot deny that police officers park their cars in relatively close proximity to the open air khat market at Oliveira Center. Questions should be asked of those upright citizens, the doctors, pastors, teachers, deacons and so on who though aware of the activities which are taking place, choose silence
"The reality of drug abuse is easy to hide from until it becomes a reality close to home. Should we wait until our youth, the future of this country are hooked on khat and experimenting with fentanyl? How long will it take and what will it take for emaSwati to realise that khat is no longer an East African or Somali problem at that?" wondered a source who is knowledgable on the drug trade
Police spokesperson Phindile Vilakati was contacted earlier today and couldn't pick up her phone. When called later her phone was not available.