POLICE have arrested 131 rowdy youths in Bulawayo in an
operation that saw law enforcement agents also confiscating alcohol and sex
enhancing pills from teenagers headed to Vuzu parties where they engage in
risky unprotected group sex.
Young people in Bulawayo have developed a tradition of
going on the rampage in the city centre on the first Saturday after schools
close and the last Saturday before a new school term begins.
Police said those arrested on Saturday are aged between 14
and 24 years and are in custody awaiting to be taken to court for criminal
nuisance and public drinking.
Their arrest follows the arrest of 40 others aged between
15 and 25 years on the first Saturday after schools closed last month. Forty nine more were arrested on the last day
of the 60th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
The latest arrests follow warnings by the police that they
had increased deployment of officers to deal with the unruly youths over the
weekend.
Police raised concern that there is a growing trend of
youths causing anarchy in the city centre or organising Vuzu parties where
alcohol and drugs are abused leading to unprotected sex.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Inspector Abednico
Ncube said police on Saturday walked the talk and made arrests and some of
those arrested had sex enhancing ‘vuka vuka’ pills.
“We arrested 131 youths in the CBD for criminal nuisance
and public drinking. Some of these kids were making disruptive noise in the
city and uttering obscene words and drinking alcohol in public.
“We also arrested a 28-year-old kombi driver, Nkosiphile
Ndlovu, who was driving a Toyota Hiace with number plate ADZ 1987. Alert cops
intercepted the vehicle which was headed towards Mahatshula suburb. The kombi
had 25 youths and it was loaded with alcohol, nine packets of unused condoms,
sex enhancing pills and mbanje,” he said.
Insp Ncube said Ndlovu’s vehicle was impounded.
He said seven 750ML bottles of Breakers spirit, one bottle
of Gold blend, one 750ml bottle of Two Keys, one 150ML bottle of Modivine
spirit and peppermint cigarettes were found in the kombi.
Insp Ncube said those who were arrested were taken to
Central Police Station awaiting court appearances.
“They are in safe police custody waiting to be taken to
court. We have asked their parents and guardians to bring their birth
certificates for those under age as we want to avoid being given false names.
They will be charged with public nuisance and public drinking,” he said.
“They will also be released after their parents and
guardians consult the Department of Social Welfare as it has become clear that
there is no proper parenting of some of these children at home.
“It still doesn’t make sense that parents and guardians
allow their children to be all over town when they clearly know of the
activities they usually indulge in.”
Insp Ncube said the police want parents to raise
responsible children. He said the girl child is abused at Vuzu parties. Chronicle
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