adminDanisa Masuku .
A Sangoma who allegedly impregnated his daughter and married two teenage girls to gain healing powers has reportedly sent them into hiding in South Africa.
The Sangoma from uMzingwane District, Matabeleland South is alleged to have acted swiftly after an investigation was launched by the police.
A source from the community said: a�?He panicked after reading the story in your newspaper. He has since sent them to South Africa.a�?
When the story broke in the press, the village head, Elmon Dlodlo was then summoned to Esigodini Police Station over the matter.
A ruling by the Constitutional Court was made early this year following an application by two women who sought to have the legal age of marriage moved to 18 for both men and women making it illegal to marry before the age of 18.
According to the United Nations Population Fund and Plan International, Zimbabwe is one of four southern African countries with the highest rates of girl child marriages. Other countries are Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
The organisations say early marriages prevent children a�� especially girls a�� from developing careers, forcing them into a cycle of poverty.
A Social Welfare official said they were yet to visit the Sangoma and interview the children on the matter.
Efforts to get a comment from the Matabeleland South police spokesperson Philisani Ndebele were fruitless.
The Sangoma declined to comment.
Online Reporter