SIMON MUNTEMBA writes
I WILL not allow early marriages in my chiefdom and all those parents that are involved in marrying off their children will be punished accordingly, Chieftainess Mwanjabantu of the Nsenga people of Petauke district has warned.
Chieftainess Mwanjabantu noted that development could only be realized in communities if more people including young girls and boys were educated.
In an interview, Chieftainess Mwanjabantu said it was her desire to see young girls’ complete school and participate in the development of the nation.
“Parents who are involved in marrying off their children will now be reported to the police because it seems the punishment of them paying a cow or mould 5,000 pan bricks at a nearby school or clinic is not harsh enough,” she said.
She further appealed to small girls, who had dropped out of school due to pregnancies to go back to school after delivery.
The traditional leader says that development can only be realized in communities if more people including young girls are educated.
She disclosed that she was currently keeping a number of young girls that were withdrawn from early and forced marriages.
