Memory Machaya, a 14 year child is reported to have died during child birth at a religious shrine in Manicaland. This is a clear case of child sexual abuse and perpetrators have to be brought to book. The child was raped, impregnated and then denied treatment. The adults involved should be held liable for not only the death of this child but the rape as well. It is time for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to launch an investigations into cases of child sexual abuse and child marriages that the Johane Marange sect is being accused of.

The constitution is clear on the child marriage and the observation of children's rights. The police needs to take any allegations of sexual crimes against children seriously and thoroughly investigate every case that comes to their attention. The case of Memory Machaya is a perfect opportunity to investigate and make sure that all perpetrators are prosecuted. As the ZRP, the time to act is now!

As citizens we need to put pressure on all duty bearers involved to act and bring a stop to child sexual abuse that is prevalent in religious sects. No religious leader is above the law. If they are marrying off children and sanctioning rape of minors they should be arrested. These sects should respect the law or they should not be allowed to operate in Zimbabwe.