In a case that highlights the continued prevalence of forced child marriage, in Zimbabwe especially in rural areas, a 46-year-old man from Embandini East village was arrested under Chief Chichi in Mangwe, Matabeleland South Province, for allegedly marrying off his 18-year-old son. General. One year old daughter in cash.
The girl’s father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, reportedly received R3,700 for his daughter, highlighting the exploitation that fuels child marriage. It is reported that sometime in March this year, the girl’s father went to the place where his daughter was staying in the Sliema area. He lied to her, saying she was going to work in Botswana, and convinced her to come home with him the same day.
The next morning, Bonani Ndebele and Bikizela Ndlovu arrived at the house of the girl’s father. Her father informed her of their presence, so she went to talk to them at the gate. Bekizela told her that they were looking for a wife and they had chosen her. The girl refused their offer and returned to the kitchen to continue her household chores.
Her father entered the kitchen and told her that the men at the gate had already paid her for the lobola. He told her to pack her bags and leave with them. The girl refused. Ignoring her protests, her father handed her a suitcase and ordered her to go to Patrick Ndebele’s house in Mzaza village, where she would live as Bonani’s wife.
As a result of her father’s orders, the girl went to stay with Bonani for seven days before running away to stay with a relative.
However, the matter came to light on April 18. At around two o’clock in the morning that day, the girl’s father returned home drunk and accused his wife of inciting their daughter to run away from her marriage.
He repeatedly hit his wife in the face with his open hands. His wife, in pain and with a swollen face, went to the police to report the assault. She also took this opportunity to announce that he had forced their daughter to marry. Which led to his arrest.
The man was brought before Plumtree Magistrate Joshua Nimbauer on two counts of physical assault and undertaking a female act, as defined in section 94(1) 9c0 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
The man has since appeared before Plumtree Magistrate Joshua Nimbauer where he faced charges of physical assault and assault on a female as defined in section 94(1)(c) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
He pleaded guilty to both charges and was remanded in custody until May 3 for sentencing. Prosecutor Celestin Madziwa represented the state.
Meanwhile, according to UN Women, one in three children in Zimbabwe are married before they turn 18. Various reports issued by the United Nations also indicate that many sub-Saharan countries have high rates of marriage among girls under the age of 15.
However, the Zimbabwean government has since put in place a law criminalizing forced marriage and the marriage of people under the age of 18.
