Group village head Amon Moyo in Mzimba has expressed concern over moral decay among youths in the district.

The chief said youths are indulging in premarital sex, including alcohol and drug and substance abuse instead of participating in economic activities.

Moyo said this during a consultative meeting between the police, non-governmental organisations and traditional leaders on ways to check the youth’s behaviour to reduce crime in the district.

He said: “The youth have turned forests in the district into hideouts for indulging in sex and other illicit activities. They go to the forests on the pretext of studying yet their main reason is to have sex and consume alcohol and drugs.

Moyo: They have turned forests into hideouts for sex and drugs

“Therefore, we need to monitor our youths to stop them from indulging in such malpractices.”

Mzimba Police Station spokesperson Peter Botha concurred with the chief, saying there is need to come up with by-laws to reduce moral decay among the youth. 

He said: “As we are waiting for the enactment of by-laws, police will enhance patrols in all areas where it is suspected that youths are committing various offences.”

But Mzimba Youth Organisation chairperson Moses Nkhana said youths in the district indulge in illegal activities because they are often idle as they do not have recreational centres.

“We are, therefore, asking government to construct recreation centres where young people can acquire useful skills,” he said.

According to Mzimba South health office sexually transmitted infections prevention coordinator Dan Kwacha, the district registered 650 cases of sexually transmitted infections between January and March this year.

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