“NOT IN OUR VILLAGE!” – Chief roars as Beitbridge tops child marriage list

Thupeyo Muleya,Beitbridge Bureau
BEITBRIDGE’S top traditional leader, Chief Tshitaudze, is breathing fire over a disturbing surge in teenage pregnancies and child marriages – and he wants the madness to STOP!

Speaking at the burial of Headman Maida in Maitengwe village, the Chief didn’t mince his words:
“We are leading in moral decay. This is not the legacy we want. Marrying off children is destroying futures!”

According to National Aids Council (NAC) stats, Matabeleland South recorded a whopping 85 372 child marriages in 2024, with Beitbridge topping the shame list at 31 248 cases. Insiza followed with 20 872. Add to that 5 700 pregnant schoolgirls—and the crisis is beyond alarming.
“Giving children adult responsibilities too early leads to disaster,” fumed the Chief. “This is not culture—it’s criminal!”

He called for action from the grassroots, urging village heads, police, and government arms to unite against this scourge.
“Perpetrators, be warned—your days are numbered!”

His hard-hitting words come as the government and UNFPA roll out the “Not in My Village” campaign to fight early marriages and pregnancies, starting with Beitbridge and Insiza.
At a recent campaign meeting in Bulawayo, the usual suspects were named: poverty, outdated customs, social media, absentee parents, and night-time parties.

Solutions? More schools, better counselling, cyber law enforcement—and empowering youth with opportunities, not wedding rings.

Chief Tshitaudze had one final message for the nation:
“Let’s be known for development, not child abuse. Enough is enough. Let’s turn a new page!”