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Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter—
THE government is working on coming up with appropriate laws and tightening loopholes in existing pieces of legislation to curtail “vuzu” parties so as to reduce anti-social behaviour among teenagers and pupils during the wild gatherings. The Minister of Home Affairs, Cde Ignatius Chombo, said they were working on addressing concerns about the so-called vuzu parties where young people, including pupils, engage in sex orgies while drinking beer and partaking of other intoxicating substances.
Some take concoctions to enhance their sex marathons. “On the issue of vuzu parties being conducted by youths, the government is working on addressing the matter in view of tightening loopholes in the existing legislation dealing with anti-social behaviour. However, all those caught on the wrong side of the law are arrested,” said Cde Chombo in a written response to questions from The Chronicle.
He said the burden to ensure that children do not engage in risky behaviour does not only lie with the police but with parents as well. “I urge parents to work hand in glove with the police. They should play a role of knowing where their children are at all times, keeping them busy and also to counsel their children on appropriate behaviour. That way, I believe we will win the battle of reducing crime among our children,” Cde Chombo said.
Recently, Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango told The Chronicle that they were going to take further action and charge parents with child negligence as stipulated in the Children’s Act.
In July, police arrested 16 pupils from four schools in Bulawayo for conducting “vuzu parties’’ at a house in Cowdray Park. In August, 224 pupils who held their party at Umguza Rest Camp on the outskirts of Bulawayo were also detained and released into the custody of their parents.
In July the police, the National Aids Council (NAC), Child-line and Justice for Children held awareness campaigns in schools around Bulawayo.
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Londile Moyo