By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Chingola Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe says that the increasing number of street kids in the district is worrying and needs serious attention by all stakeholders.
Speaking in an Interview Mr Kang’ombe said that most of these street kids have homes where they come from hence the need to take action.
The Mayor has already engaged stakeholders in the district, Social Welfare, Community Development, State Police and District Education Board Secretary’s Office to explore possible measures to address the challenge.
He said it is the responsibility of the leaders to address this issue with the urgency it needs because this is a time bomb as the kids engage in activities they are not supposed to.
“Letting the kids in the streets is like grooming criminals as they join bad groups and take part in illicit activities,some people have already lodged complaints of having their phones and parcels stolen in the night when passing through the town center,” he said.
Mr Kang’ombe said that they have made an assessment and will take an action of taking these street kids to identified orphanages and take them back to school.
“We will identify genuine street kids who have guardians to keep them and the rest will be dealt with so that our streets are free from them. The children are supposed to be in schools and take advantage of free Education,” he said.
He said there is need to bridge the gap between getting the street children off the streets and getting them rehabilitated.
