Apostolic church minor dies after pregnancy, parents attempt to conceal truth

A disturbing new case of child marriage has rocked Zimbabwe, as members of the Johanne Marange apostolic sect are accused of trying to conceal the death of a suspected 13-year-old bride who reportedly died from pregnancy-related complications in Bhaki Village, Hwendedzo area under Chief Musara in Masvingo.

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, confirmed the incident, saying investigations were underway to determine the girl's age and the circumstances surrounding her death.

"We have a report of a case where a girl died due to pregnancy complications. However, her age is yet to be ascertained and investigations are underway," said Inspector Dhewa.

Village head Trust Bake also confirmed the tragic death to TellZim News, but expressed uncertainty about the deceased's exact age or her rank among the many wives of her alleged husband, a member of the Johanne Marange sect.

"I can confirm that we have such a case in my village, but I do not stay in the area permanently. I don't know the child personally or her position in the polygamous marriage. What I do know is that her husband has many wives," said Bake.

In a shocking revelation, Bake added that, according to local customs, the fetus was surgically removed from the deceased's body before burial, as it is traditionally forbidden to bury a woman with an unborn child. However, he could not confirm who performed the operation or how it was done, only stating that the mother and fetus were buried separately.

Police sources indicated that the deceased's parents claimed she was 18 when she got married and 19 at the time of death, though they were unable to provide a birth certificate to substantiate this claim. Authorities are now investigating the family's household records to determine the true age of the deceased by cross-referencing the number and ages of her siblings.

"There are high chances that the family provided false information, even about the name," said one source close to the investigation.

Another source revealed that police efforts to uncover the truth were being hindered by the extreme secrecy of the sect and the family.

"The sect and the family members are very secretive. No one in the community seems to know who carried out the procedure or wants to speak up about what happened. It's as if they're all hiding something. The police need to be very vigilant if they are to establish the truth," the source added.

This incident draws chilling parallels to the 2021 case of 14-year-old Anna Machaya, who died during childbirth at a Johanne Marange shrine after being forced into marriage. The case sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation from rights activists and international organisations, including the United Nations.

Despite legal reforms that set the minimum age for marriage at 18 and the age of consent at 16, reports of child marriages - particularly in apostolic sects - continue to surface, often shrouded in secrecy and protected by cultural norms and religious doctrine.

This latest tragedy has once again raised urgent concerns about the safety and rights of young girls in Zimbabwe. Advocacy groups are calling for decisive government action, including rigorous enforcement of child protection laws, targeted investigations into sect activities, and stronger community-level interventions.

"The Hwendedzo case is heartbreaking and deeply infuriating," said one activist. "It shows that the law alone is not enough. We need real accountability, community education, and enforcement to stop these deaths and protect our girls."

As investigations continue, there are renewed calls for the state and civil society to work together to dismantle harmful traditional practices that endanger the lives and futures of children.