The Johane Marange Apostolic Church has confirmed the death of a married 14 year old girl Memory Machaya.
According to multiple reports, Memory was forced to drop out of school when she was in form one to get married to Evans Momberume.
She died during childbirth at the church’s shrine in Marange.
However, the location of the grave is in dispute. The family insisted that she was buried at the shrine soon after death, but the church denies the allegations.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police were conducting investigations that were expected to be completed before Friday.
Momberume and everyone who may have facilitated that marriage will likely be arrested if it’s established that memory is under age.
The church’s coordinator and spokesperson Mr Nyasha Marange says that the church would not stand in the way of the law enforcement agents, as they probe the case.
He said, It is true that memory was married to Evans Momberume.
“The police should probe the case to its logical conclusion. She died after giving birth, her baby is with the Machaya’s in Kwekwe,” he said.
“As the Johane Marange Apostolic Church we will not protect any of our congregants being investigated by law enforcement agents for any criminal offence, be it murder, rape or marrying a minor. The police should carry out their duties without fear or favour. No one is above the law. And if any of our congregants has a case to answer. Let the due process take its course. As a church we have been preaching against child marriages,” he added.
“During all sorts of church meetings. Elders take time to preach against child marriages. No one should be married before the age of 18,” said Nyasha Marange.
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