High crime rate, unemployment worries Mphoko

VICE-PRESIDENT Phelekezela Mphoko has admitted that high un-employment is the major reason why there is high crime rate in the country.

He said once youths are employed they will be keep occupied and reduce crime rates.

"The reason why there are so much social ills is because of high cases of unemployment which cause desperate people to resort to any means possible to earn a living," he said.

Mphoko made the admission while addressing people in Plumtree for the official opening of Golden Harmony Shopping Complex on Sunday.

"Investment brings about employment opportunities which later serve a great purpose to reduce crime, vices and other social ills which come as result of unemployment.

"Employment opportunities shift the energies of youths towards a worthy cause of working towards national development".

The VP said the country could not afford to have the bulk of its youths engaging in crime as that would be detrimental to the economy.

He said youths had to desist from anti-social behaviour like drug and alcohol abuse, prostitution, break-ins, robberies, carjacking and other forms of delinquent behaviour.