Police warn youths on vuzu party menace during festive holiday

POLICE in Bulawayo have sounded the alarm as schools close for the holidays, warning that the break may trigger a fresh wave of the infamous “vuzu” parties.

The secretive and illicit gatherings have long been associated with under-age drinking, drug abuse, risky sexual behaviour and escalating violence.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, said law enforcement authorities will be monitoring suspected spots and neighbourhoods.

She said these illegal gatherings and vuzu parties pose a serious threat to the safety, health, and future of young people.

“We have noted with great concern the increase in these illegal gatherings. The so-called vuzu parties are a breeding ground for criminal behaviour, drug misuse, sexual exploitation, and violence,” said Insp Msebele. “We urge young people to desist from attending these gatherings and parents to be vigilant about their children’s whereabouts, especially during the holiday period.”

Insp Msebele said in past years, police had cases where they received numerous reports of teenagers found unconscious due to drug intoxication, as well as complaints from residents about property damage and noise disturbances linked to the parties.

“We have attended to incidents where minors were discovered in compromising conditions. Some had consumed dangerous substances, while others were victims of peer pressure. We will continue to conduct raids and anyone found organising or facilitating these events will face the full wrath of the law,” Insp Msebele warned.

She said the parties are often organised through social media platforms, with locations shared discreetly to avoid detection.

Insp Msebele said police fear that some of the gatherings are being infiltrated by drug suppliers and older individuals who take advantage of minors.

She said the gatherings had evolved from small social meet-ups into organised operations with criminal elements involved.

“We have noted a worrying trend where older drug peddlers target these events because they know they can easily manipulate the youth. Some of the substances we are finding are extremely harmful, including crystal meth and unregulated codeine mixtures. These substances damage young lives and fuel criminal behaviour,” Insp Msebele said.

She described such gatherings as a ticking time bomb threatening to undo the moral fabric of the communities.

“Parents try their best to raise their children at home, but the moment they leave the house they are exposed to so much peer pressure. These gatherings are destroying our children. We will be taking even tougher action, including arresting those who organise these gatherings,” she said.

Insp Msebele said the problem requires a joint effort between the police, schools, churches, and community leaders.

“It’s not just a police issue. The whole community must unite to curb this behaviour. If we do not intervene now, we will lose an entire generation to drugs and reckless behaviour,” said Insp Msebele.

She said schools need to counsel students, also noting rising behavioural problems among pupils, which they partly attribute to exposure to vuzu parties and the substances consumed at such gatherings.

“We see pupils coming to school exhausted, intoxicated, or emotionally distressed. Some even suffer long-term trauma due to what they experience at these parties. This trend is extremely worrying and something must be done urgently,” she said.

Insp Msebele added that widespread access to smartphones and social media platforms made it easier for such gatherings to be organised quickly and discreetly.

She encouraged the public to report suspicious gatherings and to work closely with police in monitoring community behaviour.

“We urge residents to report any noise, suspicious movement, or unusual gatherings. The safety of our children is a collective responsibility. Let us work together to protect them from dangerous influences,” she said.

Police have also called on churches, civic organisations, and youth groups to intensify awareness campaigns that promote responsible behaviour and empower young people to resist peer pressure.

“As the festive season approaches, traditionally a time when vuzu parties peak, we will continue to clamp down on unlawful gatherings. No leniency will be shown to those endangering the welfare of minors.

“Our message is clear, we will not tolerate any activities that put the lives and futures of our young people at risk,” Insp Msebele said.