Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, [email protected]
THE Department of Social Welfare reported 11 child marriage cases in Kwekwe District between April and June this year leading to the arrest of some of the perpetrators who have been dragged before the courts of law for trial.
This came out during a Kwekwe District Child Protection Unit quarterly meeting on Thursday where it emerged that a majority of cases were from rural areas.
Kwekwe District is a haven for mining activities due to vast gold ore deposits dotted around the Midlands Province.
The mining activities have become a source of living for the majority of people in the district but at the same time being a source of misery for young girls as they are lured by the goldpanners using money realised from mining activities.
District child protection committee chairperson, Mr Reason Machina, who is also assistant district development co-ordinator said the 11 child marriage cases were recorded between April and June this year.
“For the period under review, we have received, through the Department of Social Development, 11 cases of child marriages,” he said.
“Of the cases, a majority of them occurred in the rural parts of the district with only one recorded in urban setup. This is worrisome since it comes at a time when as a nation we have escalated the fight against child marriages and we thought we were on top of the situation.”
Mr Machina also said they were worried about vendors who are selling drugs and alcohol to schoolchildren.
“We have received numerous reports where drugs and alcohol are being supplied by vendors to learners at some schools.
Currently, we are investigating Globe and Phoenix Secondary School where we received information to that effect,” he said.
“Manunure High School learners are the ones who are said to be finding their way into Mbizo Stadium, which they are using as their drug base and sometimes sexual activities are reported to be taking place there.
“We encourage the local authority to look at upgrading security at the facility so that the children will not get access into the stadium.”
Mr Machina said the district had recently received four cases of child neglect whereby parents are dumping children for unknown reasons.
“It seems the cases of child neglect are on the increase in the district and this may lead us to call for foster parents to come on board.
“Of course we have orphanages and children’s homes, but we encourage those who might want to adopt to come forth so that the children can have descent upbringing,” he said
Mr Machina applauded the judiciary system for playing their part in giving lengthy sentences to convicted paedophiles.
“The courts are doing their best as witnessed by lengthy sentences given to the people who would have been convicted of sexually abusing minors. These should serve as a warning to would-be offenders,” he said.
“I want to encourage the judiciary to continue in that route so that we put an end to child sexual exploitation.”
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