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Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
FIRST Lady Cde Auxilia Mnangagwa has challenged men to protect their young female children against early marriage as this destroys their future.
Addressing widows at Masvingo Polytechnic yesterday, Cde Mnangagwa bemoaned some men’s behaviour of pledging their girl children in marriage saying this negated the Government’s efforts in fighting the abuse of girl child.
She said such people should face the full wrath of the law.
Cde Mnangagwa said the abuse usually continued as most widows are short-changed by relatives following the death of their husbands.
“Most women lose their inheritance after losing their spouses. I started this programme after receiving calls from widows who would have lost their properties,” said Cde Mnangagwa.
“I have also come to educate Masvingo women on issues of early child marriages. I appeal to the men not to pledge their daughters for marriage or force them to get married at a tender age. Mothers and fathers please do not force young girls to marry,” she said.
Cde Mnangagwa also spoke about cancer and the need for screening before underscoring the need to maintain hygiene within the environment to curb the spread of cholera and other water-borne diseases.
“In Mount Darwin four people have died of cholera and we are worried that the disease is affecting us once again. What causes cholera, Masvingo?
Cholera is caused by lack of hygiene, especially now when it is raining. I expect you women to keep your environments clean to keep cholera at bay,” she said.
Chief law officer in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Charles Manhiri who was part of the First Lady entourage said women were supposed to know inheritance laws so that they are not short-changed.
“I think as married women or widows you ought to understand the Administration of Estate Act Chapter 6.01. This is the major law in the administration of estates. Inheritance is the passing on of property, title deeds, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual,” said Mr Manhiri.
He said the Administration of Estate Amendment 6 of 1997 came into operation on November 1, 1997 and brought changes to inheritance laws especially under customary law.
“This is mainly in relation to the identification of the major beneficiaries of the estate. Before the amendment women in unregistered customary law unions would not benefit from the estates of late husband unless there is a will,” he said.
Master of High Court Mr Eldard Mutasa said many widows were vulnerable especially while mourning their late husbands, in-laws take advantage to loot the deceased’s estate.
“I think when you are crying after the death of your husband, you should cry with one eye open because your in-laws may take advantage of your grief and take away property.
“Some relatives from your late husband are cunning and would want to take away almost everything that your husband would have left behind,” said Mr Mutasa.
He jokingly said women would “fall in love” instead of standing in love and agree to everything that men would suggest, only to realise that they have been duped after their husbands’ death.
He said women should have their names included on family properties so that they will also benefit after the death of their spouses.
“It is criminal for relatives to distribute property, save for clothes, without the involvement of the surviving spouse. Section 10 of the Deceased Family and Maintenance Act forbids the grabbing of the deceased’s property,” he said. — @walterbmswazie2.
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