adminCollette Mukome
A MARANGE duo was remanded in custody awaiting trial for forcing a minor (14) into early marriage.
Tafara Maradzi (18) and Memory Marwenze were not asked to plead when they appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura.
Mrs Chiundura denied them bail.
“Bail is opposed because they are high chances of interfering with State witnesses considering that you are the aunt to the minor. Also this court has no jurisdiction to grant you bail considering the seriousness of the offence,” she said.
Mr Fletcher Karombe appeared for the State.
He told the court that on January 15, Marwenze, an aunt to the minor made an arrangement with Tafara Maradzi that she would facilitate the latter’s marriage to her child.
Maradzi agreed and give Marwenze $70 as part of the lobola. On the same day, Marwenze asked the minor if she was ready to be married by Maradzi.
The minor who was in Form Two refused to get married, but her aunt threatened to assault her if she ever turned down her proposal.
Marwenze forced the minor to pack her clothes and accompanied her to Maradzi’s homestead where the two were going to live as husband and wife.
It is alleged that Maradzi slept with the minor for one night before she fled the following morning.
The minor proceeded to seek refugee elsewhere where she was advised to make a police report leading to their arrest.
Online Reporter