Pr0stitution and drúg abúse among tèenagers in Kafue’s Zambia Compound (ZC) and Mtendere residential areas are reportedly on the rise, according to residents.
One of the residents, Astridah Phiri, said some gírls as yòung as 14 years are allegedly engaging themselves in pr0stitution and are usually seen trooping to the central business district (CDB) of Kafue town, where they target truck drivers transiting the town.
“Sometimes parents are also to blame because they send their young girls to sell different merchandise such as water sachets, confectionaries in town while they stay back. In the process, the children become victims of s£xual advances by some elderly men,” Ms Phiri said.
She said after getting used to being s£xually abused, the girls become brave and resort to pr0stitution. Another resident, Miriam Hakachima, said pr0stitution and alc0hol and drúg abuse have reached alarming levels, and that parents no longer have authority over their own children.
Ms Hakachima said it has become impossible for any parent to sit down their child to talk about the vice, which she said has come like a spell thrown on them, as all the children no longer have regard for their parents.
“What is happening in our area is worrying, the levels our children are engaging in substance abuse and illicit s£xual affairs need urgent attention,” she said.
Gabriel Simfukwe, also of the same area, complained of petty thieving and rival gangs, which have also become rampant. Mr Simfukwe called for collaborative and intensified efforts from law enforcement agencies in curbing the vices.
“With the sugar cane harvest season having come to an end, crime rate will again be on the rise because people have money. All they will be doing is consuming alcohol while the girls will be engaging in prostitution,” Mr Simfukwe said.
-Zambia Daily Mail