Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
BULAWAYO Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube says intelligence gathered by security agencies has revealed that young people are now holding illegal Vuzu parties inside mobile kombis.
Minister Ncube said the development was worrying and called for a coordinated approach by Government, law enforcement agencies, transport operators, parents and communities to tackle drug and substance abuse among young people.
She was speaking during a two-day workshop in Tuesday, for the Bulawayo Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse Taskforce aimed at strengthening the province’s capacity to respond to the scourge.
“The young people have moved away from holding these illegal Vuzu parties at homes because of the arrests that have been taking place and are now doing these very sad things in kombis.
“Let us report these kombis to law enforcement agencies,” said Minister Ncube.
She said transport operators, including the Bulawayo Public Transport Association (Bupta) and Tshova Mubaiwa, should regularly inspect their vehicles and take drastic action against drivers who allow their kombis to be used as mobile party venues.
“These young people would pay drivers and the kombi will be moving around the city non-stop while its seats would be turned into a bedroom.
“Once we come across such kombis, let us quietly take down their number plates and give them to our police,” she said.
Minister Ncube, however, raised concern over some police officers allegedly exposing people who provide information about suspected illegal activities.
“The problem is that some of our police officers, not all of them, are the ones who will take that information and tell the suspects that so-and-so gave them the details, and this turns to scare away those with information,” she said.
The minister urged stakeholders to work together to protect young people from drug and substance abuse, saying the emerging trend required urgent intervention.
The two-day workshop seeks to enhance the capacity of the provincial structure to effectively address drug and substance use issues, equip committee members with up-to-date knowledge on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and promote the development of localised training materials tailored to specific community needs.
It also seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among trainers, stakeholders and service providers involved in combating drug and substance abuse.
