Drug related violence now a threat on Bulawayo girls’ social life
By Edith Moyo
Candice Ncube (22) lives in the high density suburb of Tshabalala in Bulawayo metropolitan province. Her residential area is made up of cluster apartments that were constructed by a parastatal company for its employees. The demise of the company transformed the suburb as occupants brought in tenants to supplement their meagre allowances. Candice says the upsurge in population brought with it an increase in drug peddling and drug use, a situation that is making is difficult for young women and girls to freely move and interact.
“Our community is now perilous, especially for young women and girls. There are always gangs of men who will be drinking beer, smoking weed or using other drugs in public. These people spend their time by the road side or at the nearby shops. Each time a girl passes by, they make cynical remarks or shout some insults. I no longer feel free to go to the shops because of these people,” says Candice.
Candice says these groups emerge as early as 6 o’clock in the morning until late at night. She says on several occasions, some girls have been physically manhandled by the gang members who will be under the influence of drugs.
“A few days ago three girls were going to the shops. As they passed by a group of boys, one of the boys asked the girls to tell him their names. The girls remained silent and this infuriated him. He started to shout obscenities at the girls. He then grabbed one of the girls and took her purse. The other girls fled from the scene. It was scary but these are the things we are now witnessing almost every day,” says Candice.
Candice says the gangs mainly target the girls that they deem to be indecently dresses. She says they make remarks about clothing or body shape and this affects the girls’ self-esteem.
“These days I prefer to spend my time indoors. It is very difficult but I would rather be safe than sorry. Even visiting friends is now dangerous. I now chat with my friends via Whatsapp platform,” says Candice.
Candice says the rampant abuse of drugs has been reported to law enforcement agents but nothing seems to be changing.
Vimbai Moyo (19), another resident of Tshabalala says some boys who live at the same block smoke weed while seated at the stairs on the entrance to her flat.
“These boys have the audacity to block our way even on our entrance to our rooms. They only give way when some adults come by. Otherwise for me I have to beg them to allow me passage. The smoke of marijuana drifts into our bedrooms and it is like we are also involved in smoking,” says Vimbai.
Vimbai says the level of abuse of drugs in the community is shocking considering the campaigns that are being held to end substance abuse.
“It is like these drug abusers are living in their own world. They are oblivious of all the messages against drug abuse. Already we are witnessing an increasing in mental health problems among drug users but no one is taking any heed,” says Vimbai.
