A tragic incident in Zimbabwe has led to a 17-year-old stepmother being sentenced to two years in jail for strangling her 13-year-old stepson to de@th.
According to media reports, the young girl, whose identity has not been disclosed, was married to the victim’s father at just 16 years old, highlighting the dangers of child marriage.
The court heard that the accused and the deceased got into a physical altercation after the accused sent the deceased to fetch water and he refused. In the heat of the moment, the accused strangled the deceased and then attempted to stage the scene to look like a suicide.
Justice Munamato Mutevedzi suspended the sentence for three years on condition of good behavior, emphasising that men should stop marrying young girls as it poses a significant tragedy to families and society.
The judge encouraged the accused to return to her mother and continue her education.
This case sheds light on the severe consequences of child marriage, which is prevalent in Zimbabwe, with approximately 1.7 million girls and women married before age 18.
Organisations like Human Rights Watch are advocating for law reforms to make 18 the minimum marriage age and provide support mechanisms to protect girls from child marriage
