Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube in BULAWAYO
NINE teenage schoolboys and schoolgirls were allegedly caught drinking alcohol at a party in the Bellevue neighbourhood of Bulawayo.
This followed a police raid at a house, following a tip-off from a concerned resident.
The pupils, five girls and four boys, who are students at two schools in this city, were found at the house last Friday.
According to Bulawayo police deputy spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu, there were four girls, aged 14, and one girl, aged 16.
All the four boys were aged 16.
Police are said to have found the teenagers allegedly drinking alcohol, with some appearing intoxicated, when officers arrived.
Some of the pupils also allegedly tried to hide after realising police had arrived.
Officers recovered two 750ml bottles of White Stone Gin — one empty and the other almost half full — as well as an empty 750ml bottle of Stretton’s whisky. “Some of the pupils revealed that the gathering had been organised by one of the students,” said Ass-Insp Ndlovu.
The house belongs to the uncle of one of the pupils, who was believed to be in South Africa at the time.
The incident has again raised concern over underage drinking and schoolchildren attending unsupervised gatherings.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the gathering.
Mathew Masinge