CommuTalk Reporter
Shurugwi – A 91-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman were convicted by the Shurugwi Magistrates’ Court for facilitating the marriage of a 15-year-old girl, violating Zimbabwe’s Marriages Act [Chapter 5:15], the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said.
The man, the girl’s father, and the woman, her would-be mother-in-law, were each handed eight-month suspended sentences. The intended husband, a 30-year-old man, remains at large.
The NPAZ condemned child marriages as a violation of children’s rights, warning they perpetuate poverty, limit educational opportunities, and expose minors to health risks and domestic abuse.
“We are actively collaborating with law enforcement agencies, traditional leaders, and community organizations to prosecute offenders and raise awareness about the detrimental effects of child marriage,” the NPAZ said, urging citizens to report cases and protect children’s rights.
The authority called for collective action to eradicate child marriages and ensure a safer future for Zimbabwe’s youth.
