Mzilikazi High adelinquency hotspot

MZILIKAZI High School in Bulawayo has been identified as a hotspot for child delinquency, with reports of learners engaging in alcohol and substance abuse, bullying, truancy, and violent behaviour.

These concerns have prompted intervention from community childcare workers (CCWs) and other stakeholders, including the police, residents, the school development committee (SDC), and school authorities.

In response, a stakeholder meeting was held at the school yesterday to discuss solutions to the escalating crisis.

Ward 8 community childcare worker, Mr Antony Sibanda, expressed concern over the situation.

“We have received and observed disturbing reports of students engaging in alcohol and substance abuse, absconding from school, and carrying dangerous weapons such as okapi knives and screwdrivers,” he said.

Mr Sibanda said some students had even threatened teachers.

“Some of these children are threatening teachers with weapons. There are cases of bullying where learners demand money from their peers to allow them to pass certain points just outside the school premises, calling them tollgate fees,” he said.

Mzilikazi High School headmaster, Mr Bhekokuhle Dube, stressed the need for community involvement in tackling the issue.

“Addressing disruptive behaviour at the school requires collective effort between the school and the community. While children spend time at school, they live within the community, and it is the duty of every community member to monitor and guide them,” he said.

Mr Dube urged parents to take a more active role in their children’s lives by engaging with them regularly, checking their school work, knowing their teachers, and searching their bags and rooms for any contraband items.

Some stakeholders attributed the increase in indiscipline to the ban on corporal punishment and community members shielding drug dealers who supply learners with substances.

“Teachers and parents are now afraid to discipline children in the traditional manner for fear of being arrested. At the same time, some members of the community are protecting drug dealers instead of reporting them,” said Mr Dube.

Last year in December, a Bulawayo woman, Ms Panashe Mpofu, was released from prison after being sentenced to two years for disciplining teenagers, including her own child, for hosting a Vuzu party during school hours.

The incident occurred in Luveve suburb, where Ms Mpofu found the teenagers, who were in Form Two, hosting a vuzu party.

These parties are known for promoting under-age drinking, substance abuse and unprotected casual sex, putting teenage girls at risk of contracting STIs and unwanted pregnancies.

Ms Mpofu had been imprisoned at Mlondozi Prison, a section of Khami Maximum Prison, since November 14 last year, but was set free by Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Evangelista Kabasa, after a review of the case.

During yesterday’s meeting, one parent called for a review of the corporal punishment policy.

“I encourage parents to return to corporal punishment. Unfortunately, our Members of Parliament and councillors did not attend this meeting, as this is an issue that needs legislative review,” the parent said.

However, another community childcare worker, Ms Chipato Haruperi, urged teachers to focus on psychological methods of discipline instead of corporal punishment.

“While many of us were raised with corporal punishment, teachers are trained in psychology and alternative disciplinary methods. Let us implement those approaches,” she said.

Concerns over school-related violence and substance abuse have been mounting across the city. In January, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) held a campaign at Egodini Terminus to address violence by school gangs, who have turned the area into a battleground for settling inter-school rivalries and a hotspot for alcohol and drug abuse.

Mzilikazi High School has an enrolment of about 1 800 learners and is home to the current Child President.

The stakeholders agreed to continue engaging the community to find lasting solutions to the crisis.