Bonanza gambling machines anger parents

SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes

@SunZambian

RESIDENTS of Kanyama Township have called on relevant authorities to ban the use of gambling machines popularly known as ‘Bonanza’ in the area.

The residents complained that the machines had brought more harm than good to especially children in the area.

One of the residents Hone Lumbwe said that a good number of children were skipping school and turning into burglars to raise money for gambling.

Mr. Lumbwe said that some children even stole money from their parents as well as selling household goods for gambling purposes.

“Our children have been spoiled by these machines. Can you imagine children sneaking out of homes as early as 6:30 just to go and gamble? This is uncalled for and should be looked into as soon as possible to save the lives of our children,” he said.

He complained that most of those children could not remember time to go to school as they were always preoccupied with gambling machines.

Another resident, Ms Caroline Phiri said that some children had started drinking alcohol and abusing illegal substances because of accessing drinking places where most of these machines were found.

Ms. Phiri said that most bar owners did not restrict young patrons from patronizing their drinking places in the name of gambling.

She said that children often copied what p older people did and start practicing them at the end of the day.

She also attributed the increase in defilement, rape cases and violence to such negligence.

She however called on parents and guardians to encourage their children to go to school.