Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND traditional leader, Chief Nyashanu, has amplified Government’s call denouncing child marriages in some communities and called for tough legal measures against culprits.
Addressing hundreds of villagers in Buhera during the installation of village head, Joseph Gotora, Chief Nyashanu, Kufahandichemwi Kandenga, said child marriage has become a thorny issue in his area and the country at large and called for decisive action to curb the scourge.
“The Government is clear on child marriages that it frowns at the practice and it is an offence,” he said.
“We have observed as traditional leaders that the practice is rampant even here in Buhera, particularly in some religious sects.
“We need to raise awareness in our communities that the practice is not only against traditional practice but it is a criminal offence.”
He also bemoaned the practice of home baby deliveries and urged villagers to visit health centres.
“I urge expecting mothers to visit health centres whenever they want to deliver babies to reduce child mortality. This is very important because we should value the sanctity of life,” said Chief Nyashanu.
The Government has since come down hard on child marriages after it raised the age of sexual consent from 16 years to 18 years.
Under the Marriages Act that was passed by Parliament last year, no girl can lawfully engage in sexual relations below the age of 18 nor can she be married until she is 18 years old.
It also criminal for parents to receive lobola for a girl child who is below the age of 18 as part of the Government’s broad-based measures to curb child marriages in the country.
Bongani Ndlovu