The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has discovered a WhatsApp group called “Private Lounge” that is allegedly being used to promote gay relationships. The group has over 1,000 members.
The discovery followed the arrest of a 25-year-old man and a teenage boy suspected of being involved in a same-sex relationship. The two individuals were connected through the WhatsApp group.
According to police investigations, the teenage boy joined the group in January 2024 and expressed interest in finding a partner. The 25-year-old man reached out to the boy, and they arranged to meet.
The relationship escalated in May when the teenager visited the man’s residence. The boy’s father discovered love messages from the man on his son’s phone and blocked the man’s number. However, the man attempted to contact the boy again using his mother’s phone number, prompting the father to report the matter to the police.
The 25-year-old man was arrested, while the teenager was released into the custody of his parents.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests and stated that investigations into the group and its members are ongoing. The case has sparked attention in Zimbabwe, where LGBTQ+ issues are viewed conservatively.
