Zimbabwean police arrested 224 teenagers after they were caught attending a ‘sex party’ in the edge of Bulawayo.
The party was halted after police pulled over a van containing 24 party-goers and followed their directions to the event.
Local police described the party as ‘vuzu’, the local term used to describe a party where the drinking of alcohol, casual sex and drug abuse takes place.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed that the police have already warned parents about the dangerous practice.
‘We have been warning them and encouraging the parents to talk to their children about the dangers of alcohol abuse,’ Inspector Simango told Nehanda Radio.
She warned: ‘They must take greater interest on the whereabouts of their children or face child negligence as stipulated in the Children’s Act.’
‘It is high time we act on parents who are failing to take care of their children,’ Simango said
Police have told parents that they could face charges of negligence for allowing their children to attend the party if it happens again.
It is believed the party was being held in Umguza Rest Camp on the outskirts of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
The party was taking place to celebrate the Heroes Holiday, annually held on the second Monday of August to remember the country’s founding figures.
Due to the large number of teenagers who were arrested, the partygoers had to be taken to four separate police stations in Bulawayo.
It is not the first time a so-called ‘vuzu party’ has made the headlines recently in Zimbabwe. 16 teenagers were reportedly arrested for attending a similar party last month.
Police investigating the party discovered three bottles of vodka and two bottles of wine as well as two crates of non-alcoholic drinks.
Condoms and local homemade viagra known as umvusankunzi, often obtained from a traditional healer, were also uncovered. Cannabis, known locally as dagga, was also found at the party.
Some of the party-goers managed to evade police by vaulting over a wall at the house. The house was reportedly owned by two of the teenager’s parents, who are primarily based in South Africa.
