Zimbabwe police round up Grade 7 pupils at 'pens down' parties

POLICE in Bulawayo rounded up and dispersed scores of Grade Seven pupils caught drinking alcohol and smoking at entertainment venues across the city during illegal "pens down" parties held to celebrate the end of their primary school examinations.

The children, aged between 12 and 13, were found at various entertainment centres on Friday and Saturday following tip-offs from concerned members of the public.

More than 400 000 candidates completed their 2026 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Grade Seven examinations last Tuesday, prompting celebrations among some pupils.

However, Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele expressed concern over the involvement of young children in alcohol consumption and other risky behaviour.

"What is so concerning is that these children were rounded up by police drinking in the midst of people who are old enough to be their parents," she said.

Addressing thousands of football fans who attended the Centenary Exhibition match between Highlanders and Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, Insp Msebele questioned why adults were allowing minors to drink and smoke in public entertainment venues.

She said police had acted swiftly after receiving reports from concerned residents, rounding up the children and dispersing them from the various establishments.

Insp Msebele urged parents and guardians to monitor their children's movements and activities, warning that police would not tolerate the use of examination celebrations as an excuse for underage drinking.

"The children were drinking in celebration of what they termed ‘pens down parties', but as police we'll not allow that behaviour to continue. We'll also go after establishments that sell alcohol to minors," she said.

She also discouraged parents from sending children to purchase alcohol on their behalf, urging adults to take responsibility rather than expose minors to environments that could encourage harmful behaviour.

The latest incidents come amid growing concern over the proliferation of illegal Vuzu parties in Bulawayo.

In August, Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube warned that young people were increasingly moving these gatherings from homes to mobile commuter omnibuses in an apparent attempt to evade law enforcement.

"The young people have moved away from holding the illegal Vuzu parties at homes because of the arrests that have been taking place and are now doing these very sad things in kombis," she said.

Ncube urged residents to report suspicious vehicles to law enforcement agencies and called on transport operators, including the Bulawayo Public Transport Association (Bupta) and Tshova Mubaiwa, to inspect their vehicles regularly.

She said some young people were reportedly paying drivers to use moving kombis as mobile party venues, with seats rearranged to create spaces resembling bedrooms.

The minister also expressed concern over allegations that some police officers were revealing the identities of people who reported suspected illegal activities, warning that this could discourage members of the public from providing information.

She called for greater cooperation among parents, transport operators, communities and law enforcement agencies to protect young people from drug and substance abuse and prevent the spread of illegal parties.