Police break up Grade 7 “pens down” drinking and smoking parties in Bulawayo

Police in Bulawayo rounded up and dispersed scores of Grade Seven pupils who were found drinking alcohol and smoking in entertainment joints across the city last week.

The children, aged between 12 and 13, had organised illegal gatherings known as “pens down parties” to mark the end of their primary school education.

Grade Seven candidates finished writing their Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) examinations last Tuesday.

On Friday and Saturday, police responded to tip-offs from concerned members of the public who had spotted groups of pupils drinking and smoking in broad daylight at entertainment centres.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said it was worrying that children as young as 12 were drinking among adults.

“What is so concerning is that these children were drinking in the midst of people who are old enough to be their parents,” she said.

“As Bulawayo residents, what message are we sending when Grade Seven pupils can drink alcohol and smoke in front of adults and we don’t see anything wrong with that behaviour?”

She was addressing thousands of football fans who attended the Centenary Exhibition match between Highlanders and Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

“As a father, mother, sister, brother, uncle and aunt, why would you let children drink alcohol and smoke in your presence at a public place that is meant for adults?” she said.

Inspector Msebele said police acted swiftly after receiving the reports and removed the children from the various premises.

She appealed to parents and guardians to monitor the activities and movements of their children and warned that police will not allow such behaviour to continue.

“We will also go after establishments that sell alcohol to minors,” she said.

She also discouraged parents from sending children to buy alcohol on their behalf, saying parents should do so themselves and not expose children to environments that encourage untoward behaviour. *_-Pindula_*