Mozambique: Couple arrested over “marriage” of 14.year-old to her grandfather – Notcias

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Mozambique: Couple arrested over “marriage” of 14.year-old to her grandfather – Notcias

9:23 CAT | 06 Aug 2021

in file CoM

A couple have been arrested in Sofala province for making their 14-year-old minor grand-daughter her grandfather’s second wife, police announced on Monday (August 2).

The minor, who has been living with her grandparents since January, supposedly to escape her mother’s abuse, was given as second wife by her own 55-year-old grandmother.

The child initially refused, but under threats, eventually capitulated, Sofala police spokesman Dércio Chacate told reporters.

“We found out that the couple who had custody of this 14-year-old child forced her into a non-consensual union and also forced the girl to serve him (her grandfather) as the second wife,” Chacate said.

The man’s former second wife had died aged 65, and he demanded that his first wife take another one for him, which she initially declined to do. But problems in the relationship led the grandmother to suggest the granddaughter living with them as an option.

Police said a family member had tipped them off, the grandmother having reportedly let slip what had been going on since February.

“As this action in itself constitutes a crime, it was up to us to arrest them,” Chacate said.

Official figures indicate that 48% of Mozambican girls marry before the age of 18, a situation that for non-governmental organisations is aggravated by poor implementation of legislation, poverty and accepted custom.

In July 2019, the Mozambican parliament approved a law for the prevention of premature marriage, which provides for up to 12 years in prison for any adult who marries a girl under 18 years of age.

Source: Noticias