The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Mufulira district on the Copperbelt province has successfully rehabilitated 42 members of the “70 Babies” gang that terrorised residents of Kankoyo in 2017.
DEC Officer, Precious Sakala disclosed that the members of the gang have been undergoing counselling through the DEC office in Mufulira since 2017.
Ms. Sakala said the rehabilitation programme has led to the dissolution of the gang and successful reformation of its members to become responsible citizens in society.
In an interview with ZANIS, Ms. Sakala said five former gang stars were successfully enrolled at Kitwe Vocational Training College (KVTC) to pursue different trades, adding that three of them completed their studies in December 2020, while two will complete this year.
“We managed to secure 75 percent bursary for these youths we sent to KVTC and made an agreement with their families to meet the remaining 25 percent so that they could pursue different trades,” Ms. Sakala explained.
She said five other former gang members have been recommended for Zambia Air Force (ZAF) recruitment through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Child Development, while one was successfully enrolled at Mufulira School of Nursing and is expected to complete in December 2021.
Ms. Sakala added that six of the former gang members have completed the General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations, while three have decided to pursue a career in soccer.
She added that the other 11 former gang members, despite not pursuing careers, have also been reintegrated into society.
“Although the group was called ’70 Babies’, it was a gang of 42 youths who terrorised residents of Kankoyo in 2017,” Ms. Sakala explained.
“We decided to meet them and began a series of counseling therapy because these youths were abusing drugs, alcohol, and sniffing, and we are happy to have seen such remarkable change, and two ladies who were members of this gang are even married now,” she said.
Ms. Sakala has since urged members of the public not to shy away from seeking counseling services from DEC.
She said the commission’s mandate is not only to apprehend culprits but to also provide counseling meant to rehabilitate substance abusers.
That’s good news… We hope they have really been rehabilitated for the safety of the community
This is good news
We pray that they will be productive citizens contributing to the growth of our economy in one way or the other
PF members who lost in PF deals and became disgruntled, could not be arrested by PF as they terrorised residents of Kankoyo in Mufulira.
Many more in other towns are armed and became part of the gassing gang PF can not arrest them. PF should apologise to Zambians the trauma and harassment these people have subjected citizens to for too long. Pay money to victims who lost property and assets through this terror period.
This is good news ba DEC
Good job
GOOD WORK BY DEC….. signed by me on behalf of KZ
Good efforts you are doin ba drug enforcement
Wow this is good
This is nice
Congratulations to all the ‘ rehabs’ and for the achievement. Our hope is that you will be the responsible citizens that they have taught you to be but it’s all about personal decisions… You will only be what you chose to be..
So why did he fire that woman boss for DEC?
Your Job is to investigate, charge and arrest, not running orphanages .
@ wina stop signing things on my behalf. Ibwa iwe!
Good news