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Runesu Gwidi Herald Correspondent
Traditional leaders in Masvingo Province have committed to intensify the fight against child marriages to complement punitive measures imposed on culprits by the country’s justice system.

In interviews on the sidelines of the 4th Edition of the Traditional Leaders Day Celebrations in Masvingo recently, the chiefs took a swipe at traditional and religious practices that promoted child marriages.

Chief Marozva, who was representing Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira applauded combined efforts by police and chiefs to reduce child marriages.

“As traditional leader, we are the custodians of cultural values and heritage. We will not tolerate any belief that encourage domestic violence, sexual abuse of minors and child marriages.

“Our position is quite clear. We will continue to liaise with the police in weeding out the perpetrators in our communities,” he said.

Chief Reuben Marinda Chiwara of Gutu South said he had clashed with apostolic sects in his area over issues of child marriages and child abuses.

“The apostolic sect leaders have tried to threaten me on several occasions, but l was not scared in any way,” he said.

Addressing the same gathering, Inspector Elizabeth Chipfakacha of the ZRP Police Victim Friendly Unit urged the traditional leaders to lead the fight against the scourges.

“We, as the police, encourage traditional chiefs not to conceal cases of domestic violence, rape and child marriages. We will make sure deterrent measures are taken against the perpetrators,” she said.

Police have handled 261 cases of rape with most of them reported from Mwenezi, Zaka and Bikita districts.

“We encourage you, our chiefs, to report sexual abuse cases within 72 hours after discovery of the offence. Protection of the girl child in your respective areas is most important.

“It is our advice as police that chiefs should conduct background checks of herd boys and any other strange persons in the community so that the culprits can easily be traced once they commit sexual offences.”

She said traditional leaders should also encourage young girls to wear decent clothes.