Ministry can't take any action against 'vuzu parties'

THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has said it cannot take any action against pupils involved in rowdy behaviour during "vuzu parties" as their activities are done outside i school premises.

Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Dan Moyo yesterday said as a ministry their hands were tied regarding the matter.

He called on parents to actively participate in properly raising their children.

"As a parent I'm concerned but there is nothing we can do as a ministry. These are things that are done outside schools, it's no longer within our jurisdiction but that of the parent. Parents should deal with their children," said Moyo.

On Friday, police spokesperson for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Inspector Precious Simango said parents must educate their children on die dangers of abusing alcohol.

This followed the arrest of 16 pupils from four Bulawayo schools at a party in Cowdray Park.

Police recovered three vodka bottles, two bottles of wine, and two crates of soft drinks, condoms, and umvusankunzi, a concoction used to enhance sex drive in men.

Cowdray Park residents said the pupils whose parents were living in diaspora were absconding from school every Friday to conduct the wild parties.

Insp Simango said the school children were cautioned and released into the custody of their parents.

Cowdray Park residents said some pupils from Milton, Eveline, St Columbus and Northlea High Schools frequently attended the parties.

Last month, police arrested 16 pupils from Milton High School, Townsend Girls High and Pace College after they were caught drinking beer and abusing dangerous drugs.

In recent weeks police have been conducting an 'anti-vuzu parties' campaign but the trend seems to be growing.