By McGeorge Mbare
BEITBRIDGE policy makers have roundly condemned child pregnancies and marriages.
Senator Tambudzani Mohadi and Thusani Ndou of Beitbridge West made their remarks after accompanying the Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provoncial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe who toured Beitbridge Hospital on Thursday.
The our took them to several parts of the hospital including the maternity ward where they came face to face with the harsh reality of child expectant mothers.
Ndou condemned early child pregnancies and child marriages in the community.
Ndou further said it is against the constitution of Zimbabwe to impregnate or marry children under the age of 18.
“It is unlawful for people to marry a person under the age of 18 and what I saw is not good at all. It is a huge crisis that we have young children impregnated. The most dramatic thing is that they are being impregnated by old people who have their own homes, which leaves these kids with no choice but being become single parents at a young age,” Ndou said.
He said there was need for programmes to educate both young girls and young adults about the law and the consequences of marrying underage girls or impregnating them.
Senator Mohadi condemned it, calling it a disgrace, citing that it is against the Marriage Act 2022.
“ It so unfortunate to see young girls being married at a young age. This has to stop because it is against our country ‘s laws,” Mohadi said.
In 2025 Beitbridge traditional leader Chief Tshiṱaudze, born David Mbedzi, discouraged child marriages and exposure of children under 18 to sexual activities.
There are several drivers of child marriages in Zimbabwe and world over and most common is poverty.
Children from child headed families as a result of death of both parents to the HIV and Aids pandemic have often led vulnerable girls into child marriages.
Traditional beliefs and religion have also contributed to the scourge which organisations like the Zimbabwe National Aids Council are fighting with different pogrammes.
As of 2019, approximately 1 in 3 girls in Zimbabwe were married before age 18.