The Mwinilunga District Child Protection Committee DCPC has expressed concern over the increased underage patronage of bars and cohabiting cases involving children in the district.
District Child Protection Committee Chairperson Lomuti Mtonga says his committee is also worried about the presence of children in public places at awkward hours.
Magistrate Mtonga notes that through various departments such as the Victim Support Unit (VSU) and the department of Social Welfare, the committee has recorded and dealt with a number of cohabiting cases involving children.
He explained that there is also an increase in the number of night loitering around the CBD by children adding that even reports of girls allegedly leaving their homes to stay with their boyfriends.
ZANIS reports that Magistrates Mtonga was speaking during the District Child Protection Committee Planning Meeting.
Magistrate Mtonga attributed the situation partly to parental negligence, harmful cultural practices and uncontrolled access to internet gadgets by children.
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