By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Chief Sitaudze, born David Mbedzi, has called for stronger community action to stop child marriages in Beitbridge, warning that the practice is rising at an alarming rate and putting the future of many children at risk.
He said Matabeleland South now has the highest rate of child marriages in the country, a situation he described as “deeply worrying” and unacceptable.
According to NAC data, Matabeleland South recorded 85,372 cases of female teenage marriages in 2024, with Beitbridge alone accounting for 31,248 cases and Insiza following with 20,872.
In addition, NAC reports that Beitbridge’s proportion of early teenage marriages is about 24 percent, while Insiza’s is 16 percent.
He stressed that the trend must be stopped before it destroys more young lives.
“Matabeleland South has become a hotspot for child marriages, and this is now a serious cause for concern,” he said.
The traditional leader made the remarks at Lutumba Adventist Primary School, where he addressed schoolchildren, parents, teachers, and athletes who had just completed a 22km Walkathon from Beitbridge to Lutumba, organised by Friends of the Environment.
Chief Sitaudze said child marriages were destroying education opportunities, exposing children to health problems, and trapping families in poverty.
He urged parents and local leaders to protect children and ensure they stay in school.
“When a child is forced into marriage, we lose a future leader, a future parent, a future contributor to society,” he said.
“We must all work together to keep our children in school and safe.”
Chief Sitaudze also expressed concern over reports that some village headmen were involved in drug and substance abuse.
He said it was shameful and dangerous for community leaders who should be role models to engage in such behaviour.
“It is unacceptable for a leader to be the one abusing drugs,” he warned.
“How can we guide our communities if those in leadership positions are the ones setting a bad example?”
Chief Sitaudze said drug abuse was contributing to rising crime, school dropouts, violence, and broken families.
Young people, he noted, were especially vulnerable.
“Drugs are destroying our society one child at a time,” he said.
“We must act now before we lose an entire generation.”
He encouraged communities, schools, and churches to join forces to fight child marriages, drug abuse, and other harmful practices.