News / National
Zimbabwean man abducts girl (14) for son's bride
2 hrs ago |
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A 40-YEAR-OLD man, Lovemore Sithole, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for taking a 14-year-old girl from her parents' home in Odzi with the intent of forcing her into marriage with his South Africa-based son.
Sithole was arrested at Sakubva Bus Terminus while attempting to board a bus to Chipinge with the minor. He was arraigned before Mutare Magistrate's Court and charged with trafficking in persons under Section 3(1)(a)(ii) as read with Section 3(2) of the Trafficking in Persons Act (Chapter 9:23).
Prosecutor Perseverance Musukuto told the court that the complainant, a Form One student at a local school, had no familial ties to Sithole. On 20 December 2025, around 8 PM, Sithole took the girl from her home in Arda Transau, Odzi, without her parents' knowledge.
The girl's parents received a tip-off, acted swiftly, and tracked Sithole, resulting in his arrest before he could complete his plan.
Regional Magistrate Pathekhile Msipa found Sithole guilty and handed down the 10-year jail term, underscoring the seriousness of trafficking and child exploitation offences.
The case highlights ongoing risks to children from trafficking and the courts' firm stance on protecting minors from forced marriages and exploitation.
Sithole was arrested at Sakubva Bus Terminus while attempting to board a bus to Chipinge with the minor. He was arraigned before Mutare Magistrate's Court and charged with trafficking in persons under Section 3(1)(a)(ii) as read with Section 3(2) of the Trafficking in Persons Act (Chapter 9:23).
Prosecutor Perseverance Musukuto told the court that the complainant, a Form One student at a local school, had no familial ties to Sithole. On 20 December 2025, around 8 PM, Sithole took the girl from her home in Arda Transau, Odzi, without her parents' knowledge.
The girl's parents received a tip-off, acted swiftly, and tracked Sithole, resulting in his arrest before he could complete his plan.
Regional Magistrate Pathekhile Msipa found Sithole guilty and handed down the 10-year jail term, underscoring the seriousness of trafficking and child exploitation offences.
The case highlights ongoing risks to children from trafficking and the courts' firm stance on protecting minors from forced marriages and exploitation.
Source - Manica Post
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