Beatrice Imbayago

CHIEFS should help fight early child marriages in their communities and ensure that no parent or guardian accepts roora payments for a girl who is below the legal age of 18 years.

Speaking during the Provincial Chiefs’ Day Commemorations held in Shamva at Chief Bushu’s homestead, Chief Matsiwo from Mbire urged chiefs to help in the fight against early child marriages in the country.

“Nyaya yekuroodzwa kwevana vadiki varipasi pemakore gumi nemasere inyaya inoda kuti tibatsirane tose nemadzimambo edu kuti ipere,” he said.

Chief Matsiwo also said parents should know that it is a crime for chiefs to be seen ruling that parents have to be given bride prices for children under the age of 18.

“Madzimambo edu nemadzishe edu anofana kuziva kuti imhosva kuti muwanikwe muchitonga kuti mubereki apihwe mari yeroora yemwana aripasi pemakore gumi nemasere, uye imhosva zvekare kuti vabereki vawanikwe vachiroodza mwana ari pasi pemakore gumi nemasere,” he said.

He emphasised the need for children to go to school without any disturbances in their school work.

“Regai dzive shiri, vana vedu ngativasiyei vaende kuchikoro vadzidze vatange vapedza dzidzo yavo vozoroorwa kana vachinge vabva zera,” he said.

Chief Chitsuwo said parents must not rush into marrying off their children because of money as the same children were capable of taking care of them when they grow up.

“Vana vedu vakaenda kuchikoro ndiko kuromba kwedu kwemazuva ano. Tikaendesa vana vedu kuchikoro vanozotichengeta mangwana tinenge taromba zvakanaka,” he said.

His call came after the province was ranked top of the other provinces on the issues of child marriages.

The provincial Chiefs’ Day also saw the recognition of the various roles that are played in the society for the well-being of their people.

“Madzimambo edu anobata basa guru chose munharaunda yedu izvo zvinoita kuti tifanire kuvaremekedza zvikuru,” he said.

He said chiefs have a role in ensuring that youths from villages under their jurisdiction do not abuse drugs.

“Tinenyaya yemitoriro yakuvadza vana vedu; ibasa redu semadzimambo kuti tiedze kuti vana vedu vasabata zvinodhaka,” he said.

Major General Kasirai Tizirai, who was the guest of honour also urged chiefs to continue working well with the army as it will help in nation and community building.

The provincial Chiefs’ Day was attended by 14 chiefs around the province. They each received food hampers, fertilizers and laptops.