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Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta have been given the all-clear by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to resume playing competitive cricket following their four-month bans for drug use. The two tested positive for a recreational substance during an in-house dope test in December, which led to the imposition of the ban.
Madhevere and Mavuta were mandated to train under ZC’s high-performance programme as part of their rehabilitation. In addition, they were fined three months’ worth of 50% of their salary, beginning in January 2024.
After their ban time expired, both players passed drug tests.
The last time Madhevere and Mavuta played for Zimbabwe was in December 2023, during their home series against Ireland. Prior to their January suspensions, they also participated in one Logan Cup game apiece for the Mashonaland Eagles and Mid West Rhinos.
“I am pleased to welcome Wessly and Brandon back to competitive cricket after both of them underwent rehabilitation and also passed a drug test carried out to check if they were now clean,” Givemore Makoni, the ZC managing director, said in a statement. “More importantly, the two players acknowledged their mistakes and have vowed to stay clean and focus on their very promising careers as cricketers.”
On the other hand, there is no news regarding hitter Kevin Kasuza, who was also placed on suspension in January following a positive test for an illegal recreational drug.
A ZC academy athlete named Davis Murwendo also tested positive for a social drug in the most recent round of internal testing. He is scheduled to appear in court shortly.
ZC’s anti-drug campaign is optional and unrelated to the requirements of the ICC and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
“Recognising the dangers that recreational drugs may cause, ZC opted to go beyond the ICC and WADA obligations by implementing an in-house drugs testing programme,” Makoni said. “This is a very important initiative that should be hailed for providing education, counselling and treatment, where appropriate, to rehabilitate players who have become involved with social drugs.”