A 30-year-old woman from Honde Valley, who dropped out of school when she married her sister’s husband at 15 as a fourth wife, managed to go back to school several years later and eventually obtained 20 points at Advanced Level in 2023.
Mary Mahati told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/30-year-old-overcomes-early-marriage-to-pass-a-level/">The Herald</a> that she grew up in a polygamous family. Her father had three wives since he belonged to an Apostolic faith sect.
She scored 6 units in Grade 7 in 2006 but had no one to send her for secondary education as preference for development was given to the boys while girls were being conditioned for marriage.
<img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-270351 size-full" decoding="async" height="612" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mary-Mahati-A-Level-results.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mary-Mahati-A-Level-results.jpeg 680w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mary-Mahati-A-Level-results-300x270.jpeg 300w" width="680"/>
A relative took her to Selbourne Nyanga during the holidays where she started selling fruits to raise school fees.
Mary was, however, not ready when others opened schools for Form One. She later joined others at Sahumani Secondary School in Honde Valley after she had raised enough fees. She said:
<blockquote>
It was so tough; I would work during the school holidays so I could raise money for fees and other necessities.
When I got to Form 2 in 2008, I failed to raise the fees. My hopes were shattered. I finally accepted that I could not continue with my education and went to stay with my sister where I was married to my sister’s husband as a fourth wife.
Life was tough. The family was big and resources were scarce. My brother-in-law later married two more wives and this worsened the situation.
I felt suffocated. Initially, I thought getting married was a way to improve myself but this worsened my life. I had no hope of returning to school. I only had one child and thought of going back home.
My father pleaded with me to stay in that marriage since divorce was not allowed. I reached a stage where I told my father I could die because of the life I was leading and that is when I went back home.
My mother encouraged me to go back to school. It was difficult to continue with school after many years of staying at home.
I again looked for employment and worked as a maid in Harare. After raising fees, I went back and enrolled for form three at Hilltop Christian Centre College in Mutare.
It was not easy during the first days as I was having challenges coping with schoolwork. It was in 2019 and the country went on a COVID-19 lockdown. I took advantage of the break from school to work and get more money.
Nevertheless, the following year I sat for the Ordinary Level and out of the eight subjects I had registered, I passed six subjects.
I then enrolled for A level at Muterere Secondary School. Although I went back to work, the money was not sufficient for the school fees.
Because of commitment, my brother who is now employed pledged to help me pay the required fees. He paid for my fees until I wrote the final examinations.
</blockquote>
Mary obtained 20 points and is looking forward to going to university but her major fear is the high costs of education at the tertiary level.
She said she is still working as a maid and her wish is to go to university and study law.
Mary urged young girls and women to never give up on their dreams even if they become victims of child marriage saying: “It is important to get up, dust yourself and move on.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Woman (30) Overcomes Child Marriage To Pass A-Level | She Was Married At 15 As A 4th Wife

Ruth Labode, a Member of Parliament from Matabeleland North Province, has demanded that the Ministry of Health take immediate and drastic action to prevent child pregnancies.
This follows the release of a report by the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (Zimstat) showing that about 700 girls under the age of 15 gave birth in the country in 2022.
Labode raised the matter in Parliament recently and requested Health Minister Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to bring a Ministerial Statement outlining his strategy to curb the scourge of child pregnancies. She said:
<blockquote>
I am making reference to the Zimbabwe Statistics. Disaggregated data on the Distribution of Births by Age of Mother released during the launch of the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (ZimStats) Vital Statistics Report shows that 700 girls aged 10 to 14 gave birth in 2022. What does this say about this country?
Could the Minister of Health and Child Care bring a Ministerial Statement and tell us what strategy they have to curb this scourge of teenage pregnancies? A ten-year-old is not a teenager but a baby.
</blockquote>
In response, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, said:
<blockquote>
This question touches a lot of Zimbabweans, in particular a lot of women. The issue of teenage pregnancies is an issue that the whole country is seized with.
The Government is seized with it and the Ministry of Health is putting a lot of strategies that they would need to articulate in this House.
I think it is in order when the Hon. Member asked for a Ministerial Statement which will articulate step by step what they are doing.
To have 700 young girls aged 10 to 14 getting pregnant is very sad. A ten-year-old is a child and what has gone wrong with our people?
This is an issue that is not going to be just dealt with by the Ministry of Health alone but by inter-ministerial strategy.
This is something that we need to understand from the Home Affairs Ministry to see how many people have been jailed or castrated if they need to be.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa assured Parliament that measures will be taken to deal with the perpetrators and also asked for unity of purpose in dealing with the vice. She said:
<blockquote>
I think there is an element of madness that needs to be dealt with; an element of cruelty or animal behavior that needs to be dealt with.
Penalties should be quite high. I would obviously take this up with my colleagues.
We need to get that report and I certainly agree with her so that at least we can work together as a country.
It is about all of us as leaders in the areas where we live. It is also about us as parents working together, united as Zimbabweans to fight against this evil.
</blockquote>
According to Plan International, some of the causes of teenage pregnancies include a lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights, inadequate access to services tailored to young people, family, community and social pressure to marry, sexual violence, forced marriage, which can be both a cause and a consequence and a lack of education or school drop-out.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

700 Underage Girls Gave Birth In 2022 - Zimstat

The government of Mozambique has reportedly banned the Johane Marange Apostolic Sect in the Central Province of Manica for allegedly encouraging child marriage and disregarding health issues.
The Johane Marange Apostolic Sect first emerged in Manicaland Province in neighbouring Zimbabwe, where it has been operating for a decade.
Albachir Macassar, the National Director of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, was reported as saying the Ministry has also banned some religious institutions with “obscure purposes” in the southern Province of Inhambane. Said Macassar:
<blockquote>
To discipline some behaviour and excesses of certain religious denominations, a draft Law on Religious Freedom and Worship is under discussion to regulate the exercise of this activity in Mozambique.
</blockquote>
During the interview with Radio Mozambique, Macassar insisted that the government of Mozambique is not interfering with religious worship.
He said the government only seeks to direct and discipline religious organisations.
Macassar said under the draft law, those who want to establish new churches must have a certificate in theology.
He added that if they are leaving an existing congregation, they must have a letter of disaffiliation or recommendation. Said Macassar:
<blockquote>
They must possess a letter of recommendation from the top leader of the previous religious grouping, attesting to their suitability to found another congregation.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-government-bans-doubtful-churches-including-johane-marange-sect-232276/">Club Of Mozambique</a>

Mozambique Govt Bans Johane Marange Sect Over Child Marriages | Report

A 14-year-old girl from the Johane Marange Apostolic Church reportedly died on Tuesday a few days after giving birth at home in Buhera.
Family relative and lawyer Norris Johannes confirmed Delight Masomeke’s death to NewsDay.
He said Delight, of Bvumbura Village in Chivhu, gave birth to a baby girl on 29 December 2022 at Masasa in Buhera but died three days later. Said Johannes:
<blockquote>
The deceased is said to have given birth to a baby girl on December 29, 2022, and remained unwell until she succumbed to (an undisclosed) illness yesterday (Monday).
Her mother Nelia Matarirano is my sister, but the family was not aware that the girl was married.
All we knew was she was at school, only to be shocked by the news of her death yesterday.
Relatives wanted to hastily bury her, but we sought police intervention. We are at the police station filing a report.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told NewsDay that he had not received a report of the case. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005727/girl-14-dies-after-birth-related-complications">NewsDay</a>

Girl (14) Dies After Birth-related Complications

The father of the nine-year-old girl from Tsholotsho who gave birth in November said that he is eager to see his daughter, the one he was accused of impregnating.
Speaking in an interview with The Sunday News on Friday, the 29-year-old man said this would bring closure and peace to his soul.
The man said he does not have the money to travel from Tsholotsho to Bulawayo to the safe house where she is being kept.
After his daughter was taken to a safe house, the minor allegedly told authorities that her father told her that a goblin would come and insert something into her privates.
But the father gave a different version of the goblin issue, saying it was a prophetess who made the claims. He said:
<blockquote>
Our child was ill since October 2020 and she was assisted by a prophetess who was known by my wife who prayed for her.
She had started developing breasts at seven years old and the prophetess said my daughter was being used by a goblin that was having sexual intercourse with her.
My wife and her mother, that is my mother-in-law are the ones who went to visit the prophetess and stayed there for two weeks.
</blockquote>
When she returned home, they were informed that the child was not supposed to enter the homestead until the “spell” cast upon her was removed, the man explained.
He said the girl then went to live at her maternal grandparents’ home for a year.
She returned home in November last year and they were informed that she was now menstruating.
The father said the girl’s mother and her maternal grandmother visited yet another healer who said the menstruation could not be stopped.
When her stomach started bulging the parents never panicked as the prophetess had told them that the stomach was “full of dirt” as a result of having sex with the goblin.
The man said the experiences affected her daughter’s performance at school as her grades had dropped. He said:
<blockquote>
We were summoned by the school teacher who said my daughter’s grades had dropped dismally and she also prayed for our daughter.
The menstruation stopped and it was assumed the prayers were now effective yet the child was pregnant.
She, however, complained of stomach pains and was taken to the local clinic and eventually to Tsholotsho District Hospital where it was confirmed that she was over six months pregnant and the matter was referred to the police.
At the police station, we were told we had to be questioned individually about what was happening to the child and I assumed it was all in order.
I was not questioned but I was simply handcuffed and accused of raping my daughter and impregnating her.
I was shocked. One police officer scoffed at me and said ngiluthango oluzidlele amakhomane.
</blockquote>
The father initially appeared at the Tsholotsho Magistrate Courts to answer to rape charges on 1 September 2022 and was remanded to 15 November.
After his appearance in court, the father said he requested DNA tests to be conducted in a bid to gain his freedom. He said:
<blockquote>
They told me it was too expensive and I could not afford it and I told them that was the only way I was going to be exonerated because I did not want to die in prison. I also failed to secure bail during that period.
Around 23 November 2022, I was then informed that I would get a DNA test. I also asked that the four other males who lived with us at home also be tested as they equally had access to my child and that was done.
</blockquote>
He was summoned to court on 29 November and the magistrate told him that the State had done their investigations and proved that he was not guilty of rape and impregnating his child as DNA results had come out negative.
However, this verdict was opposed by a prosecutor who said the case must be transferred to the Bulawayo Regional Courts.
Even though the magistrate queried this, the father was still transferred where he was held at Khami Remand Prison.
On 8 December he appeared in court in Bulawayo and was told to return on 15 December. He said:
<blockquote>
I went to court and was told that my record was nowhere to be found both in Tsholotsho and Bulawayo courts and should return on 19 December. I lost it.
I was very disturbed and had given up on myself, I assumed I had another new case to answer.
Later, on the same day, I was finally discharged. They told me that I was not guilty of the count of rape and that I was a free man.
I blacked out, I could not believe it, after a moment light shone in my eyes and I could see clearly.
I failed to walk; I was still in leg irons. It was a great relief.
</blockquote>
The father was finally released from Khami Prison on Tuesday 20 December.
The man, who is a builder, said he has lost all the jobs he had been contracted to do in the village. | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/after-four-months-in-jail-father-of-pregnant-9-yr-old-longs-to-see-daughter/">The Sunday News</a>

Father Of "Pregnant 9-yr-old" Speaks About "Goblin"

A 15-year-old girl from Gwanda was allegedly murdered by her 31-year-old husband who accused her of infidelity.
The now-deceased minor, Silindokuhle Sibanda, stayed with her husband Thandazani Ncube at his parents’ homestead in the Singukwe area.
It is alleged that Ncube assaulted the teenager in the middle of the night while they were on their way home after attending a party on 5 November 2022.
After the attack, Ncube carried the girl home in a wheelbarrow and placed her on their bed.
The minor was found dead the following morning.
Ncube was on Monday arraigned before Gwanda magistrate, Polite Ncube Banda, facing a murder charge. He was remanded in custody to 21 November.
Prosecuting, Ngonidzashe Shumba said Ncube attacked Silindokuhle on 5 November around 11 PM and the minor succumbed to head injuries the following day. Said Shumba:
<blockquote>
On 5 November at around 11 PM Thandazani Ncube struck Silindokuhle Sibanda on the back of her head using an unknown object following an altercation. Ncube was accusing the girl of infidelity.
Silindokuhle succumbed to head injuries the following day at around 4 AM.
</blockquote>
Earlier, Ncube’s mother, Sibongile Ncube, told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/man-31-assaults-15-year-old-wife-to-death/">Chronicle</a> that her son and Silindokuhle had gone to a party at a nearby homestead.
She said in the middle of the night she heard the sound of a wheelbarrow being pushed out of the yard.
Ncube said a few minutes later her son came rushing and informed her that his wife had a headache.
She said she went back to sleep assuming that Silindokuhle would be fine in the morning since it was just a headache.
However, when Ncube went to check on Silindokuhle the following morning, she found the girl lying on her bed covered in blood-soaked blankets. She said:
<blockquote>
My son was also there in the same room and he told me that he was trying to discipline her for cheating on him with another man.
Upon checking Silindokuhle, I discovered that she was already dead.
</blockquote>
Ncube said she immediately alerted neighbours who came to the homestead and community members effected a citizen arrest on Thandazani and escorted him to a police base in Stanmore leading to his arrest.

Man (31) Kills 15-year-old "Wife" Over Infidelity Allegations

Traditional leaders say cases of child marriages are on a decline in some parts of Manicaland Province where they were rampant.
Zimbabwe Chiefs Council’s Manicaland provincial chairman, who is also a Senator, Chief Makumbe said that the fall in cases of child marriages is attributable to a tripartite arrangement between the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Judiciary Services Commission and traditional leadership.
Speaking during an interview with <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/chiefs-tame-child-marriages-headache/">The Manica Post</a>, Chief Makumbe said there has been a decrease in the number of cases being reported at the community courts. He said:
<blockquote>
Cases of child marriages continue to decrease because of the tripartite arrangement that is there between traditional leaders, magistrates and the police.
We meet regularly as the Crime Consultative Committee and discuss how to end these harmful practices.
It is an old tradition which should be abolished and as traditional leaders, we are doing everything that we can to disseminate information to people in our areas of jurisdiction.
It is criminal and most people know the consequences that come with such practices.
</blockquote>
Chief Makumbe blamed local men who are based in neighbouring countries for the prevalence of child marriages in areas such as Buhera Central, Buhera South, Buhera North, Marange and along the borderline areas of Chipinge, Chimanimani and Mutasa. He said:
<blockquote>
These men often lure young girls to their foreign bases without their parents’ consent.
The young brides are smuggled out of the country through the illegal exit points dotted along the country’s porous border with Mozambique and South Africa. The perpetrators know very well this is criminal.
We are taking every opportunity available to spread the message that marrying off your underage children is criminal. We are living no stone unturned to address this.
At every gathering, we are spreading the message, even at churches, food aid meetings or political meetings.
We make sure that as traditional leaders we get a chance to address the community and raise awareness against these harmful practices.
</blockquote>
On 27 May 2022, President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law The Marriages Act which prohibits the marriage of minors under the age of 18.

Chief Makumbe Says Cases Of Children Marriages Have Fallen

The Grade 7 pupil from Katanga, Norton, a small town in Mashonaland West Province, who died while giving birth in Bikita on 04 October, was buried in Mt Darwin on Thursday.
Nokutenda Hwaramba’s body was ferried from Bikita to Mt Darwin on Wednesday and laid to rest on the following day.
Her father, Bernard Hwaramba, told <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/norton-teen-laid-to-rest/">H-Metro</a> that they will release the details related to the circumstances which led to his 15-year-old daughter’s death in due course. He said:
<blockquote>
We have laid Nokutenda to rest. We saw it best to lay her to rest early since we spent the night travelling.
Details surrounding her death will be released later since we are still mourning her.
Nokutenda died on Tuesday at an apostolic church shrine while giving birth.
</blockquote>
She had been taken to the shrine by her father for prayers as their church doctrine does not allow them to seek medical help at hospitals.
Some Katanga residents had threatened to beat up Bernard, and his church members, accusing them of causing the death of Nokutenda.
Speaking to H-Metro on Wednesday, Nokutenda’s mother, Loice Muparadziwo, said her daughter was impregnated by one of their neighbours, one Aaron. She said:
<blockquote>
Nokutenda was said to have been impregnated by one Aaron from our neighbourhood.
She got sick and would just fall down as if possessed by evil spirits.
Her father consulted prophets from his congregation and later took her to Bikita for more prayers.
He left Nokutenda in the hands of the intercessors and she died while giving birth at the shrine.
The church doctrine did not allow us to take Nokutenda to a clinic, or hospital, to give birth or for any medical treatment.
I failed to accompany them to Bikita because I was also due to deliver and I had a miscarriage at Norton General Hospital on the day Nokutenda passed away.
</blockquote>
Nokutenda’s death echoes the death of 14-year-old Anna Machaya who died while giving birth in Marange in July 2021 and that of 15-year-old Ferby Munyafi of Chiadzwa Village in Marange who died in January 2022 from excessive bleeding while delivering.
Hatirarami Momberume alias Evans Michael Momberume, a devotee of the Johane Marange apostolic sect has been charged with Anna’s murder.
Anna’s parents, Edmore Machaya (45) and Shy Mabika (36) were jailed for nine months each – wholly suspended – for lying to detectives about her age.
Ferby died on 12 January 2022 and police charged her “husband” 29-year-old Arthur Chitombo with having sexual relations with a minor.

Girl (15) Who Died While Giving Birth At Church Shrine Buried

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, has launched an essay writing competition for secondary school pupils.
The competition will be running under the topic “Ending Child Marriages.”
Pupils who are likely to participate in the competition are forms one, two, three and five in Matabeleland North and South, Midlands, Mashonaland East, West and Central provinces.
ZLHR said participating pupils were advised to submit their essays to the provincial offices of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education between 23 and 28 September 2022.
The participants should include their name, age, school year, name of school and province, as well as contact details including telephone number and address on the essay.
Below are questions that participants have to answer:
“Child marriages causes and effects. Towards ending child marriages by 2030”
<ul>
<li>What is the meaning of “child marriage”? [10]</li>
<li>State and explain 5 causes of child marriage [20]</li>
<li>State and explain 5 impacts of child marriage [20]</li>
<li>What strategies and laws has the government of Zimbabwe put in place to end child marriages? [20]</li>
<li>State 5 governmental institutions and 5 non-governmental organisations that are working to end child marriages [10]</li>
<li>What recommendations can you make to end child marriages? [20]</li>
</ul>
The national winner will pocket US$150. At the provincial level, the winner will get US$100, the second-placed winner will get US$50, with the third-placed winner getting US$25.
There are also many consolation prizes. | <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/child-marriage-essay-writing-competition-for-high-school-students/">B-Metro</a>

Child Marriage Essay Writing Competition For Secondary School Pupils

Almost 34 per cent of girls under the age of 18 are married, while 2 per cent of their male counterparts get married before reaching the age of 18, the Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (Zimstat) has said.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) says the statistics are concerning and show that child marriages and the exploitation of young women are rampant.
Addressing journalists in Harare on Friday, ZGC chairperson, Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe called on the public to work together to end child marriages. She said:
<blockquote>
Child marriage is a violation of human rights and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission is concerned about the surge in the practice as well as the exploitation of young women and girls.
The Zimbabwe Statistics Agency indicates that 33.7 per cent of girls under 18 are married, which means that one in three girls under 18 are married.
Zimstat also cited that, 2 per cent of boys get married before reaching the age of 18 years. We, therefore, need to take urgent action to address the scourge.
Collectively, we have a responsibility to ensure that children, both boys and girls, enjoy their fundamental rights.
… protection of girls from any malpractices and social ills that may be sanitised through religious, traditional customs, belief systems and cultural norms is non-negotiable.
Hence, the commission is duty-bound to fulfil its constitutional mandate to ensure the prevailing of social justice and remedying of violations of rights relating to gender
</blockquote>
Mukahanana-Sangarwe said ZGC conducted a multi-sectoral stakeholders’ inquiry on child marriages, sexual exploitation and abuse of young girls from April 4 to April 8.
The inquiry will be followed by provincial hearings starting with Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland South from May 8 to June 10.
A report will then be compiled and delivered to Parliament and other State organs for implementation in terms of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zims-child-marriage-shocker/">The Herald</a></h4>

34% Of Zimbabwean Girls Are Married Before Turning 18

One of the directors at a Chinese-owned mine, Rongxin /Mambo Mine, in Sanyati has reportedly offered 10 kilogrammes of gold as “compensation” to quash the investigation into a marriage between a Chinese engineer at the mine and a local underage girl.
According to a NewsDay report, the 15-year-old girl dropped out of school after she was married off to the Chinese engineer by her parents on 26 November 2021.
The engineer allegedly paid US$2 000 as the customary bride price to the girl’s parents.
The girl was in Form 3 at Tomdrayer Secondary School at the time she was forcefully married off to the Chinese man.
The girl is from Ward 5 under Chief Neuso, Sanyati District, in Mashonaland West province.
NewsDay reported sources as saying that one of the directors at the mine has offered to pay at least 10kg of gold worth US$570 000 for the case to be set aside. Said a source:
<blockquote>
The director of the mine is one of the owner’s daughters. She gives directives from China.
She has said they want the case suppressed by any means possible.
The main reason is that the forced marriage suspect is a key engineer at the mine and operates the underground mining department.
They do not want to lose him by any chance and are doing everything to ensure he is not jailed for marrying the minor.
</blockquote>
In December, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that a Chinese mine engineer who works at Ringxin/Mambo Mine had been arrested for marrying a minor.
The engineer in question last week appeared before a Kadoma magistrate, where he was remanded out of custody.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/01/chinese-offers-10kg-of-gold-to-kill-probe-into-child-marriage/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Chinese Offers 10kg Of Gold To Suppress Investigation Into child Marriage - REPORT

Women Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni minister Sithembiso Nyoni has called for the arrest of a Chinese national who married an underage girl, as well as the parents of the minor.
The 15-year-old girl from Sanyati District under Chief Neuso in Mashonaland West has since dropped out of school.
She was doing Form Three at Tomdrayer Secondary School before her parents married her off to the Chinese miner.
The parents of the girl were reportedly paid US$2 000 as bride price on 26 November.
The Chinese national is employed at Ringxin/Mambo Mine as an engineer.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said they are investigating the matter.
Speaking in an interview with NewsDay yesterday, Nyoni said marrying off persons under the age of 18 is a violation of the constitution. She said:
<blockquote>
The minor is under 18 years and it is unconstitutional. Those parents must be brought to book and the Chinese national must be arrested over the matter. This is unacceptable.
</blockquote>
Karen Mukwasi, a human rights activist started the petition titled “A call to action on Chinese nationals and child sexual exploitation”. Mukwasi said:
<blockquote>
The police need to close in on the Chinese perpetrator. Locals have reported that the family is considering swapping the victim’s identity with that of an older sibling and police need to close in and prevent any cover-up.
The child is not safe in the custody of parents who voluntarily exploited her for financial gain and, therefore, police should work with relevant departments to remove the child to a safe environment until the case is concluded.
</blockquote>
African Union goodwill ambassador on ending child marriages, Nyaradzayi Gumbodzvanda said:
<blockquote>
Such dangerous criminal behaviour must be nipped in the bud. Government must review the terms and conditions of some of these investors to ensure compliance with the laws of the country.
</blockquote>
Debate on child marriages intensified after the death of 14-year-old Memory Machaya, who died during childbirth at a Johanne Masowe shrine in Marange in July.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/12/minister-calls-for-arrest-of-chinese-miner-parents/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Minister Calls For The Arrest Of A Chinese National Who Married An Underage Girl

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on religious organisations to put to an end unlawful cultural activities such as child marriage.
He was speaking at State House on Wednesday where he launched a spotlight initiative high-level political compact on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. He said:
<blockquote>
The importance of the role being played by our religious and traditional leaders as custodians of our religious and traditional customs cannot be overemphasised.
Our democratic system has given space for people to affiliate with cultural and religious groupings of their choice.
However, repugnant practices such as child marriages, which undermine the rights of our children, have no place in our country and should stop forthwith.
Similarly, all religious and cultural practices must remain within the confines of what is legal and constitutional.
</blockquote>
The compact is a strategic initiative and commitment for an effective response towards the elimination of gender-based violence, largely perpetrated against women and girls.
European Union ambassador to Zimbabwe Timo Olkkonen and UN resident coordinator Maria do Valle Ribeiro, whose organisations extended technical support to the initiative, attended the event.
Also present were representatives of religious organisations, traditional leaders and civic organisations.
Olkkonen commended Zimbabwe for successful implementation of the programme which he said warranted it to get additional funding from the EU. Said Olkkonen:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe has fared well in comparison with other countries. We are happy that the initiative has moved forward, we are entering the second phase.
In the EU funding, there was a trigger of additional funding to come on board depending on how successful the programme is.
Zimbabwe has been successful in that regard so we are continuing in 2022. Today’s event is important in that it shows commitment at the highest level.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/president-warns-churches-on-child-marriages/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Mnangagwa Warns Religious Organisations On Child Marriages

Parliament has been urged to expedite the passage of the Guardianship of Minors Amendment Bill that seeks among other issues, to bar parents from consenting to the marriage of children.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi on Tuesday read the Bill for the second time in the National Assembly where he appealed to legislators to pass the proposed law.
The Bill seeks to amend the Guardianship of Minors Act and will remove references to parents consenting to marriages of minor children as contained in section 4 of the Act.
Ziyambi said it was critical to pass the Bill to ensure the protection of minors against early marriages.
Besides outlawing child marriages, the Bill also seeks to align the law with the Constitution by giving a mother and a father equal rights over the guardianship of their child or children and to consult each other over their welfare.
The Bill will also give fathers co-guardianship for children born out of wedlock, removing current provisions that give the role to mothers.
Debate on the Bill is expected to continue this Wednesday.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/parly-moves-to-bar-child-marriages/">The Herald</a></h4>

Legislators Urged To Expedite Passage Of Law Banning Child Marriages

A Chipinge man has been sentenced to 36 months in jail for having sexual intercourse with a minor as defined in Section 70 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Msindo Makuyana (48), of New Year’s Gift, had been living with a 14-year-old juvenile (name withheld because of her age) as husband and wife since 8 August when the two met at Samhutsa Business Centre.
Makuyana appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Elizabeth Hanzi on Tuesday, who convicted him on his own guilty plea and sentenced him to 36 months in jail.
Six months were suspended on condition that he will not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
Asked why he committed the offence, Makuyana said he was misled by the girl’s physical appearance. He said:
<blockquote>
I was not aware of the girl’s age. I thought she was an adult since she has a big body. I am begging for lenience because I am in good books with my wife (the minor). I also did not force her to be my wife.
</blockquote>
Prosecutor Chipo Matanga told the court that Makuyana’s marriage to the minor came to light after the two visited the complainant’s aunt, Susan Sigauke where she (the complainant) intended to introduce Makuyana as her husband.
Sigauke told Makuyana that he cannot marry the complainant because of her age.
She (Sigauke) made a police report on Monday leading to Makuyana’s arrest.
The complainant was taken to Chipinge District Hospital for medical examination.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/marrying-a-minor-14-backfires/">Manica Post</a></h4>

Chipinge Man Jailed 36 Months For Marrying A Minor (14)

Zimbabwe is among the 20 African countries where child marriages are most prevalent, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed in February.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat), 33.7% of girls aged under 18 are married. This is one in three girls under 18. In comparison, 2% of boys get married before reaching the age of 18 years.
Child marriages are most prevalent in Mashonaland Central, where 52.1% of girls get married before 18, while Bulawayo has the lowest prevalence rate, 10.9%.
Zimstat data also shows that rural girls are twice more likely to be married before 18 than their urban counterparts.
Share of girls married before 18 by province:
<ul>
<li>Mashonaland Central – 52.1%</li>
<li>Mashonaland East – 45.1%</li>
<li>Masvingo – 43.4%</li>
<li>Mashonaland West – 42.2%</li>
<li>Manicaland – 38.1%</li>
<li>Midlands – 30.3%</li>
<li>Matabeleland North – 29.4%</li>
<li>Harare – 23%</li>
<li>Matabeleland South – 20.3%</li>
<li>Bulawayo – 10.9%</li>
<li>Rural – 21.3%</li>
<li>Urban – 43.7%</li>
</ul>
Zimstat’s 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) (2019) found that the highest prevalence of child marriages, 50.9%, is among families whose heads identified their religion as “traditional.”
Protestants – who include Adventists, Anglicans, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians – have the lowest prevalence of child marriages, 16.2%.
Data shows there is a positive correlation between child marriages and poverty. More children from poor households get married early, compared to those with higher incomes.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe, adopted in 2013, sets 18 years as the minimum age of marriage in Zimbabwe.
In January 2016, the Constitutional Court struck down a section of the Marriage Act, which had, for years, allowed children under the age of 18 years to marry.
This was because that particular section was inconsistent with the Constitution.
<h4>More: <a href="https://zimfact.org/child-marriage-one-in-three-zimbabwean-girls-married-by-18/">Zimfact</a></h4>

One In Three Zimbabwean Girls Married By 18

A child marriage survivor in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Shamva">Shamva</a>, Samantha Chidodo, has performed well at her A’Levels scoring 12 points. <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Rozaria_Memorial_Trust">Rozaria Memorial Trust</a> chief executive, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nyaradzayi_Gumbonzvanda">Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda</a>, revealed the achievement narrating how the organization helped her get back into school to survive child marriage. Samantha is now looking forward to starting university.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/22/breaking-zimsec-a-level-results-now-out/">A’Level results</a> came out a few days ago.
Narrated Gumbonzvanda:
<blockquote>Samantha Chidodo, Nailed it! 12 points at A Level. I am over the moon with joy.
4 Years ago, Chief Bushu approached RMT requesting if we can support this girl who experienced child marriage and is passionate about going back to school.
We took Samantha in through our Education Assistance program. She passed her O levels and we immediately supported her to continue.
She went kwaJiti, a school in Shamva district just near pa Chakonda. As we paid her fees, she had to do vegetable vending to support herself and her child. She stays with parents, both are not working.
Last year she formed a community Nhanga which has over 60 other girls and they encourage each other to read, raise their income and to be responsible in relationships. The Chief promised to give them land for their agribusiness.
Now Samantha is a game changer. She has now been a speaker at many regional platforms. During CSW she was on a special global panel hosted by #OHCHR. Samantha wants to be a lawyer, and her road is now open.
As Rozaria Memorial Trust, we say congratulations to Sama, the sky is the limit. All we have to do now is to mobilise for funding so that she can enroll at the Uni, and wants she is in, the rest is doable. We are reaching out to those who provide scholarships to girls like Sama.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/vanyaradzayi/status/1385659948969992192">Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda on Twitter</a>

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