Zimbabwe Cricketers Madhevere and Mavuta Sentenced: Recreational Drug Use Results in Bans

Zimbabwe Cricket has taken disciplinary action against national team cricketers Wesley Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta for their involvement in recreational drug use. The players have been handed four-month bans and will face a 50% salary deduction for three months, effective from January 2024.

The sanctions were imposed on Madhevere and Mavuta after they admitted to the drug use during a disciplinary hearing held on the previous Wednesday. The duo had tested positive for a banned recreational substance during an in-house dope test conducted in December. The Zimbabwe Cricket board, known as ZC, expressed its zero-tolerance policy towards drugs and drug taking in a released statement, emphasising that such behaviour brings disrepute to the organisation and the sport of cricket.

In making their decision, the Disciplinary Committee took into account certain mitigating factors, including the players' remorse and their commitment to overcoming their addiction and detoxifying their systems.

In a separate incident, another Zimbabwe cricketer, Kevin Kasuza, has also been banned from all cricketing activities pending a hearing. Kasuza had recently failed an in-house dope test. The disciplinary hearing will address the charges of violating the board's code of conduct for employees.

Zimbabwe Cricket's firm stance against drug use underscores their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring that players adhere to the highest standards of conduct both on and off the field.