By Michael Gwarisa in Gweru
Traditional leaders have called for the alignment of Zimbabwe’s laws with customary law, arguing that this would empower chiefs to take stronger action against child marriages in their communities.
They say the current legal system is undermining their efforts, as cases they help build at community level often fail in court, allowing alleged perpetrators to evade accountability.
Speaking at the High-Level Chiefs Indaba held in Gweru to review progress under the Not in My Village campaign, Chief Muhumbane said granting chiefs punitive powers could significantly reduce child marriage cases.
“If only we are given one year as a trial to prosecute and bring perpetrators of child marriages to book, you will see a great change and reduction in child marriages after one year,” said Chief Muhumbane.
He added that such powers should also extend to addressing drug and substance abuse, stock theft and other social challenges.
Other chiefs attending the conference supported the proposal and also called for stricter regulation of internet access and television content, arguing that exposure to sexually explicit material contributes to early sexual activity among children.
“Some of the content shown on television encourages young people to experiment with sex early. There is so much sexually explicit content out there and children are consuming it without parental knowledge,” said Chief Chipuriro of Guruve.
Chief Chipuriro added that internet access also needs stronger regulation, saying social media content and influencers expose children to sexualised behaviour that they may seek to imitate.
Meanwhile, chiefs from communities bordering neighbouring countries including Mozambique, Zambia, South Africa and Botswana raised concern over alleged child marriage perpetrators crossing borders to evade arrest.
Chief Chapoto of Mbire said porous borders remain a major challenge in efforts to curb child marriage.
“Once they discover that they have done something here, they flee into neighbouring Mozambique,” he said.
He added that low birth registration rates further weaken enforcement.
