Online Reporter
Ronald Mpofu, [email protected]
TWO minors have been placed under the care of the Department of Social Development after police raided and shut down an alleged brothel in Mathendele Township, Plumtree, last week.
The operation followed complaints from residents in Ward 1, who said the house had become a source of disturbance in the neighbourhood. Police found a group of 15 teenagers, aged between 14 and 19, allegedly operating from an unoccupied house.
Seven girls were arrested during the raid, while several others managed to flee. Authorities later confirmed that two of those involved were minors, while the rest were adults.
A Department of Social Development official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the two minors are now receiving support.
“From that group there were two minors; the rest were 19 and above. The two minors are being assisted through case management by the Department of Social Development. The adults were dealt with as adults,” the official said.
Police have since handed over responsibility for the minors to social welfare services. Officer in Charge of Plumtree Urban Police, Chief Inspector George Milisi, said that minors cannot be held in police cells.
“We only keep criminals in cells, so with this case we cannot keep minors in our cells. The case is now fully handled by the DSD (Development Social Department). However, we will continue to engage DSD for detailed updates on this matter,” he said.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing. The Department of Social Development is working together with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Plumtree Town Council, and the Plumtree Residents Association and Development to address the situation.
Residents had raised alarm over the activities at the house long before the raid. Some described frequent disturbances and disorderly behaviour.
When a news crew visited the property after the raid, they found used condoms and other discarded waste scattered around the house.
In response to the incident, police carried out an outreach programme in the area to educate residents about crime prevention and their rights. The initiative also aimed to strengthen cooperation between the community and law enforcement.
During the outreach programme, some residents expressed relief that the group had been removed from the area. They claimed that earlier attempts to correct the girls’ behaviour had failed.
“They were so foul-mouthed that we ended up being afraid to speak to them. They would tell you a word or two that would send you straight to bed, where you would take hours to recover,” said a resident.
Others linked the activities at the house to criminal behaviour in the neighbourhood.
“These girls drink at local bars and hook up with our brothers who drink there; they then later inform their boyfriends, who then break into houses and steal,” fumed a resident during the outreach.
Authorities have also warned landlords to be more careful when renting out their properties. They urged property owners to check tenants’ ages and to seek parental or guardian consent before allowing minors to occupy their premises.
The house at the centre of the allegations is reportedly owned by a person based in South Africa, who is said to have been unaware of what was taking place there.
