Harare – Popular Zimdancehall artist Nyasha Reginald Mano, widely known by his stage name Ras Pompy, has been sentenced to six months in prison after being found guilty of contravening the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act. The conviction follows a dramatic high-speed car chase with detectives and the discovery of a substantial quantity of cough syrup in his vehicle.
The Harare magistrate, Mr Gamuchirai Gore, delivered the judgment on 22 September 2025, after a full trial in which the prosecution presented detailed evidence surrounding the events that led to the musician’s arrest.
According to the prosecution, led by Mrs Mandirasa Chigumira, the events unfolded on 16 July 2025 around 11am. Detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics unit were patrolling Kambuzuma Road when they identified a black Honda Fit, registration number AGS 6699, stuck in traffic. The vehicle had previously been flagged in police databases as suspected of being involved in the distribution of illegal drugs.
Officers signaled for the driver to pull over. Instead of complying, Ras Pompy allegedly accelerated, initiating a high-speed chase that traversed several Harare suburbs, eventually reaching Rugare. The pursuit ended when the singer’s vehicle collided with a metal pole, allowing the detectives to apprehend him.
Zimdancehall Star Ras Pompy Jailed for Six Months Following High-Speed CID Chase
Following the arrest, a search of the Honda Fit yielded a total of 100 bottles of assorted cough syrups, which prosecutors stated had an estimated street value of US$396 (approximately ZAR 7,200). The inventory, presented in court, included:
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24 bottles of 100ml Broncleer cough syrup
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20 bottles of 100ml Benylin cough syrup
Both the seized cough syrups and the Honda Fit were taken into evidence. Ras Pompy was subsequently charged under section 34(1) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act and escorted to the CID Drugs headquarters for processing.
The six-month prison term sparked significant debate and outrage on social media, with many users criticizing the perceived disparity between this sentence and the relatively light penalties imposed in similar cases involving foreign nationals. The case of Chinese nationals found in possession of cocaine, who reportedly received a US$150 (approx. ZAR 2,730) fine, drew particular attention.
Social media users expressed frustration over what they viewed as a biased judicial system. Tafadzwa Chenjerai wrote, “Cases like this also show why people feel the system is broken: it’s not just about the crime, it’s about who commits it. This one will stick in people’s minds for a long time.”
Nyasha Tagwirei added, “Zimbabwean Government doesn’t love its people, the Chinese guys get it away with only 150 yusa [US$150] and now the poor guy got 6 months haaaa that’s really unfair.”
The controversy intensified as citizens questioned the logic behind sentencing based on the type of substance involved. Many argued that cocaine, classified as a hard drug, should carry a harsher penalty than cough syrup, making the fine for the Chinese nationals appear disproportionately lenient.
Simbarashe Machemedze Chawainetera asked, “Which is worse, cocaine or bronco? Cocaine – it’s 150 fine.” Manu Tanaka Sande Baker added, “Cocaine vs mushonga wechikosoro (cough medicine)… are we seriously treating Broncleer as a prohibited drug equivalent to cocaine? Hardly two weeks ago, Chinese nationals found with constitutionally prohibited hard drugs were released.”
The debate on social media also highlighted perceived inequality in the legal system based on nationality. Reuben Chamunodah Nehumba wrote, “Those pink Munk-faced guys were released scot-free, but mwana wamai vedu (our mother’s child) is jailed in his own country… #ZimbabwendeyeVeneVayo (Zimbabwe belongs to its owners).”
Patrick Kuhudzai succinctly captured this sentiment, stating, “It’s unfortunate that he is not from China…”
Ras Pompy’s sentencing has sent shockwaves through the Zimbabwean music industry, raising questions about the consequences of illicit substance possession and the legal responsibilities of performers. While some argue that the law was correctly applied, others contend that the punishment is disproportionately severe compared to similar offenses involving foreign nationals.
Observers suggest that the case could have broader implications for local artists, particularly regarding international travel, sponsorship deals, and public perception. The discrepancy in sentencing has sparked calls for judicial review and for more consistent enforcement of drug laws.
For now, Ras Pompy will serve six months behind bars, and the incident remains a cautionary tale for artists navigating the intersection of fame, legal compliance, and personal responsibility. The case continues to fuel discussions on social media about fairness, the rule of law, and the treatment of Zimbabwean citizens versus foreign nationals within the justice system.
Source – iHarare
