TACKLE YOUTH ILLS
YOUTH unemployment is a ticking time bomb that should be tackled immediately before it gets out of control.
This could explain why on the Copperbelt, desperate youths have resorted to illegal mining activities to eke out a living.
But this is a wrong approach that has already result ed in two boys being admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds in Mufulira.
According to Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba, the victims, aged 15 and 17 where among a group of youths who forced their way into restricted area of Mopani Copper Mines where they conducted illegal mining activities.
He said when confronted by police, the group be came unruly and began attacking the police officers which prompted them to fire warning shots but the group became even more violent and continued charging towards officers.
Mr. Kajoba said in the process of the confrontation two suspects were shot and sustained bullet wounds on their right legs. He said the two suspects have since been admitted at Ronald Ross hospital.
Just the ages of the victims should raise a red flag, especially for the 15-year-old, on the seriousness of the ticking time bomb.
Ideally, these boys should not even have been any where near the mining area. They could have been playing football in the townships.
Although unemployment among youths is a major problem, it must be impressed upon them that resort ing to criminal trespass is not the answer.
This trajectory will only lead to more misery and could even result in deaths.
Young people must be made aware that it is a crimi nal offence to enter a restricted area especially a min ing area.
Local leaders in Mufulira, as well as in other districts must show the youth that there are opportunities in other sectors apart from mining.
The government has introduced youth empower ment schemes and has encouraged young people to form cooperatives so as to ensure they access funding.
The increased Constituency Development Fund for example offers great opportunities for youth-led coop eratives to provide and supply services in their localities.
As President Hakainde Hichilema has said, institu tions like schools do not need to be importing furni ture like desks and chairs which could easily be made by local carpenters.
Hospitals too need food and cooperatives are best placed to meet this need through agricultural activities – growing vegetables as well as rearing poultry.
But sadly in urban areas, particularly on the Copper belt, criminal elements have taken advantage of vul nerable youths and misled them into breaking the law.
As Mr Kajoba noted, the police are concerned with the growing criminality of youths raiding and invading mines.
He said those who have a strong urge to undertake mining activities are advised to follow normal chan nels by legalising their business ventures.
He is right that “Illegal mining activities should not be taken as a new normal.”
The Ministry of Youth must therefore be in the fore front and come up with robust youth development programmes that gives hope to the millions of youths that there is a future wating for them – that does not include being shot in the legs to have a piece of the cake.