---
title: "Zimbabwe suspends two players over alleged drug use"
description: "Dec 21 (Reuters) - All-rounders Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta have been suspended by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) pending a hearing after they allegedly tested positive for a banned recreational drug, officials said on Thursday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-12-21-zimbabwe-suspends-two-players-over-alleged-drug-use/"
published: "2023-12-21T12:14:59"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 126
---

# Zimbabwe suspends two players over alleged drug use

> Dec 21 (Reuters) - All-rounders Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta have been suspended by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) pending a hearing after they allegedly tested positive for a banned recreational drug, officials said on Thursday.

By Reuters · Published 21 December 2023, 14:14 SAST

## Key points
- In a dramatic twist, Zimbabwe Cricket has suspended two international players for allegedly breaching anti-doping rules, just one day after the team's coach resigned.
- Zimbabwe Cricket suspends two international players for alleged doping violations
- Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta tested positive for a banned recreational drug
- Suspensions come a day after coach Dave Houghton resigns from his position
- Players last featured in matches against Ireland on Dec. 10 and Sunday

## Content

Madhevere, 23, has played in 98 matches across all formats for Zimbabwe, his last a Twenty20 against Ireland on Dec. 10.

Mavuta, 26, featured in the last of his 26 internationals in a one-dayer against the same opponents on Sunday.

"Zimbabwe Cricket has with immediate effect suspended two Zimbabwe international players from all cricket activities, pending a hearing, for allegedly breaching anti-doping rules," ZC said in a statement.

"The concerned players, Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta, both tested positive for a banned recreational drug in an out-of-competition case recorded during a recent in-house doping test."

The suspensions came a day after coach Dave Houghton [resigned from his position](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL6N3DF0F0&linkedFromStory=true) ahead of a white-ball tour to Sri Lanka in January.

(Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)