A 12-year-old grade two girl at Renato Basic School in Kapiri Mposhi district has been withdrawn from a marriage in which she was forced by her father.
Central Province Campaign Against Early Marriages Coordinator, Dorothy Mambwe who confirmed the development yesterday said the girl has since been sent to Nsungeni Orphanage for custody and counselling.
Ms Mambwe said that the girl was made to stop school early this year by her parents and forced to marry a peasant farmer in Kashitu area in Chief Nkole’s chiefdom.
She said the man is on the run.
Ms Mambwe who is also MMD Chibwelelo Ward councillor in Kapiri Mposhi said the police however managed to pick the girl’s father for questioning.
“We have managed to withdraw a 12-year-old girl from a marriage to an elderly man in Kashitu area. This man has run away but we have the father of the girl for questioning by police,” Ms Mambwe said.
Police sources in Kapiri Mposhi confirmed the development but refused to give any information as they are still investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, Ms Mambwe has bemoaned the high incidences of marrying off underage girls in Central Province.
She said government should stiffen laws against those people perpetrating marriages involving underage girls.
- ZANIS.
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12-Year Grade 2 Withdrawn From Marriage
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