TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA
HARARE – In a statement released on Wednesday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said that the identities of two minors from the social media video that went viral showing the abuse of alcohol by minors in Harare's Central Business District (CBD) are now known. The video went viral on the 26th December, 2023.
Yesterday, police said that they had taken note of the video and were in the process of carrying out investigations.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police reports that the identities of two minors aged 13 and 11 years is now known. Their mother and father have also been identified and located," police said in the statement.
Police said that the father and mother separated in November 2022 and that the two minors were taken into the custody of their mother in Epworth, Harare. However, it is alleged that ever since the separation happened the minors have been living on the streets.
"It is alleged that they later left home and engaged in street begging, vending, and some misdemeanors in Harare Central Business District with 'other street kids,'" police added.
The investigations by police revealed that on the 25th of December, 2023, the two minors, who were in the company of other children, "obtained Mayfair alcohol" through a person whose identity is yet to be identified by the police.
"The minors sat on the veranda of a cellphone shop along Inez Terrace near a prominent food outlet. They consumed the alcohol openly in public," part of the statement read.
Police said it had identified a local business person who recorded the viral social media video; and that the person is currently assisting police with investigations in order to ascertain the full facts of the matter.
Police also added that they are still pursuing the identity of the other minors who were in the company of the two minors. They are also pursuing allegations that there were some women who were seated at the corner of Speke and Innez Terrace Street who interacted with the minors.
"It has also been confirmed that the minors were drinking alcohol while eating some chips and chicken," police concluded.
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