POLICE in Bulawayo say they have intensified efforts to deal with Vuzu parties where schoolchildren engage in sexual acts, drug and alcohol abuse at selected houses.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said this during a recent meeting with journalists following concerns that the city had become a haven of criminal activities.
Ncube said Bulawayo communities and other stakeholders were working with the police to help curb the Vuzu parties.
“As far as the police and the Bulawayo community are concerned, the issue of Vuzu parties is being handled properly and the juveniles are now failing to get anywhere,” he said.
“This is because the problem was the availability of venues in the absence of parents who are in the diaspora or at work, (meaning that) from 7am to 4:30pm, the house will be free. The community in Bulawayo is so excellent and pleasing. At times, you might think things are out of place in Bulawayo because any drop of a fly is reported.”
Ncube said schoolchildren who took part in Vuzu parties mostly lived alone.
Keep Reading
- Revisiting Majaivana’s last show… ‘We made huge losses’
- Edutainment mix: The nexus of music and cultural identity
- ChiTown acting mayor blocks election
- Promoter Mdu 3D defends foreigners 30 minute set
“(Vuzu parties) originated from issues to do with birthday parties, simple celebrations, but when they get to an extent of abusing drugs and those other sexual activities, they will then target some free houses,” he said.
“Initially, they were using some lodges and the police and the public exposed them. We were receiving phone calls from members of the public saying a kombi is taking some students to such places.”
“If ever a parent realises that there is a kombi or a gathering of youths at a house, they should immediately report to the police.”