Couple forces minor into marriage for food

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AN ELDERLY couple from Brunapeg in Plumtree allegedly married off their 15-year-old granddaughter so they could get a bag of mealie-meal and R500.

AN ELDERLY couple from Brunapeg in Plumtree allegedly married off their 15-year-old granddaughter so they could get a bag of mealie-meal and R500.

SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER

This was revealed when Msikana Ncube (50) and Khefasi Ngwenya (60) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushove on Monday facing charges of contravening Section 94 (1) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 (pledging of a female person).

The couple pleaded not guilty to the charge and were remanded in custody to January 13.

The court heard that Ncube and Ngwenya were left in custody of the minor by her mother who works in neighbouring Botswana.

It was alleged that sometime in October last year, the couple reached an agreement with a middle-aged man to give him their granddaughter as a wife in exchange for food and money.

The man offered to pay lobola of R564 and a bag of mealie-meal to which the couple agreed.

The girl revealed her grandparents’ plans to her aunt who phoned her mother in Botswana telling her about the issue.

The mother returned home and reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of Ncube and Ngwenya.

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