5 000 youths to march against drug abuse, crime

Sunday Mail Reporter

MORE than 5 000 young people are tomorrow expected to march from Harare’s central business district to Mbare in a campaign against drug abuse, crime and sexual violence as concerns mount over social ills affecting the country’s youth.

The march, which is being organised by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC), will run under the theme “Fuel Youth: Ignite the Future — As We Strive Towards a Crime-Free Zimbabwe”.

The procession will start at the Mbuya Nehanda Statue on Samora Machel Avenue, before proceeding through Gamal Abdel Nasser (former Rotten Row) to Mbare.

The First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, will lead Cabinet Ministers, provincial leaders, youth organisations and faith-based groups during the march.

Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri will be the guest of honour.

ZYC director for public relations and programming Mr Tanzwika Guranungo said the march sought to amplify efforts to tackle the rise in harmful behaviours among young people.

“It has been noted with great concern that there is a sharp surge in social ills such as armed robberies, sexual assault, cybercrime, touting, reckless driving, and drug and substance abuse,” he said.

Mr Guranungo said the Government had already made strides in responding to these challenges.

“Under the able leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the Second Republic has made significant progress in addressing these social ills.

“Recent initiatives include the establishment of the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse and the launch of the National Resource Mobilisation Programme.

“Additionally, the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, through her Angel of Hope Foundation, has supported rehabilitation centres and cultural programmes aimed at combating these social challenges.”

Mr Guranungo said the campaign will not end with tomorrow’s event, but will be rolled out in the remaining nine provinces as part of a nationwide initiative.

“Taking cue from this and following in the mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’, as well as employing the whole-of-society approach, we, too, have decided to join in this fight,” he said.