Two individuals have been arrested after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) uncovered a WhatsApp group in Harare called “Private Lounge,” allegedly used to promote gay relationships with over 1,000 members.
The arrests include a 25-year-old man from Highfield and a teenage boy, suspected of being involved in a same-sex relationship. The 25-year-old, employed at a local supermarket, and the teenage boy, a Form Four student from Glen Norah B Extension, reportedly connected through the group.
Police investigations revealed that the teenager joined the group in January 2024, introducing himself and seeking a partner.
The 25-year-old man, already a member, reached out, and the two arranged to meet at Machipisa Shopping Centre. Their relationship reportedly intensified in May when the teenager visited the man’s home, where they consumed alcohol and became intimate.
The relationship came to light when the teenager’s father discovered love messages from the man on his son’s phone and blocked his number. The man attempted to reconnect with the boy on October 7, 2024, using his mother’s phone, prompting the boy’s father to report the incident to the police.
Following the complaint, the 25-year-old man was arrested, while the teenager was released into his parents’ custody as investigations continue.
ZRP national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the arrests, stating, “We have apprehended two suspects who have helped us uncover a gay WhatsApp group with over 1,000 participants meeting at various locations in Harare. Investigations are ongoing.”
This case has attracted significant attention in Zimbabwe, where LGBTQ+ issues remain highly controversial, and authorities continue to investigate the group’s members.
