Harare – At 16 she was raped. Her abuser later became her husband at the initiation of relatives. Today she is serving a 9-year jail senten...
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Harare – At 16 she was raped. Her abuser later became her husband at the initiation of relatives. Today she is serving a 9-year jail sentence for a crime she committed against her abuser.
Esnath Vushe’s abusive matrimony of convenience only saved her husband from jail – but her life was hell.By tinzwei.com
“I reported the rape to the police but some relatives convinced me that she should get married in order to save the husband from jail,” Londia Munyanyiwa, her mother explains.
Growing up in rural scenery with a single parent was never easy for Esnath’s family. Her father died when she doing grade 3.
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| Child Marriages and Rape are on the Rise |
“Our mother worked hard to fend for us after our father died when I was doing grade 3 but it was not easy,” said an emotional Esnath during a programme aired on national television inside her prison cell.
In 2008, while in grade 7, she became a wife. The juvenile spouse moved with her husband. Problems mounted when she failed to conceive. The husband became aggressive.
“My husband always abused me and one day he chased me away. On my way home, he pursued me and assaulted me with logs. He took me back and locked me inside. He then became intimate with his senior wife in my presence before they slept.”
Sensing her freedom, she sneaked out, setting the hut on fire while the two were asleep. Luckily, the couple woke up on time before the roof curved in.
Esnath promptly left for her mother’s home. She was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Her previous abuses were ignored. During trial, she had no legal representation.
The victim became the hunted. Esnath was imprisoned for 9 years for attempted murder, sending the other wife into celebration.
But, the court outcome has shocked renowned lawyer, Jonathan Samkange.
“Esnath is a victim. Burning down the house was just a cry to be heard. We should help her. She should have been a given a suspended sentence. Please give me her details and I will help,” pleaded Samkange.
Samkange emphasises that the presiding magistrate should have guided the accused on her constitutional right to legal representation.
Though she has lost almost a decade of her precious life in custody, Esnath has plans after detention.
“I have now learnt knitting and hairdressing inside prison. I feel I have let my mother down with what happened to me. And I would like to make it up for her when I am released from jail. I pray she is safe,” says the optimistic inmate.
And she looks forward to use her skills upon release in June 2019. While it has been a rough road for Esnath, her plight is a window into many teenage girls’ lives that are being forced into early marriages.
Statics reveal that numerous underage girls – and even boys in Africa are forced into marriages – a practice condemned by Helen Mazithehla, Esnath’s aunt.
“People are not reporting such abuses in our African culture even though they are happening. We must not conceal such evil acts – they must be reported to the police.”
Do you know of any child abuses/marriages in your area? Please them report today!
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