Man arrested for selling alcohol to minors on Christmas day
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has apprehended the 23-year-old man who sold alcohol to children on Christmas Day following a public outcry.
A viral video sparked outrage in Zimbabwe and South Africa after it showed underage children having illegal fun. The children, who are aged between five and 13, were gallivanting on Christmas Day in the Harare central business district holding and downing bottles of alcohol.
The minors were unaccompanied by an adult and walked seemingly aware of how to navigate the CBD.
A citizen who was shocked by the children captured the video and shared it on various social media platforms before it went viral. It sparked outrage and condemnation from the public.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) took note of the incident and launched an investigation into the matter. They identified and located two minors, aged 13 and 11. The police revealed the two from Epworth had run away from home to beg and vend in the CBD with other street kids and bought alcohol in town.
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They also identified the man who filmed the video, and he was helping them with the investigations.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) revealed that they have caught and arrested the man who sold alcohol to the children. Speaking on X, they announced:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Phaeton Mutiyaya (23) for supplying alcohol to the minors. The suspect operates a shebeen at Block 2C10 Nenyere Flats, Mbare, Harare.”
They also confiscated his alcohol stock. The Police have since identified the rest of the minors who were downing alcohol in the CBD and their parents.
The children receive money as Christmas presents. They then trekked from their homes in Mbare to the Harare CBD and linked up with their friend to buy alcohol.
The ZRP has warned liquor outlets against selling alcohol to minors.
