27 September 2025
By Jonah B Moyo
THE Gwanda South An-ti-Crime Group, known as the “Vultures” has taken a firm stand against child pregnancies in order to ensure the safety of girls in rural areas.
Child pregnancies are increasing in Matebeleland South Province, with teenage girls getting pregnant and marrying school leaver boys, leading to violations of girl child rights. This trend demands attention and action to protect young girls’ rights and futures.
In response to the rising cases of child pregnancies, Vultures, a group dedicated to protecting children’s rights and other crimes like stock theft in Gwanda South, has launched a campaign to combat this trend. The initiative aims to support girls in continuing their education and reaching their full potential.
Admore Nyathi, Chairperson of Vultures, has indeed raised concerns about the alarming rate of child pregnancies in Gwanda South, highlighting the need for collective action to protect young girls’ rights and futures.
“Our mission extends beyond combating livestock theft, we also actively work to address child pregnancies in our communities, protecting the rights and futures of young girls.
“In rural areas, we have noticed a concerning trend where school-leaver boys loiter around secondary schools like Bengo, escorting girls home through isolated areas.
This situation can lead to unintended consequences, including child pregnancies. As Vultures, we are determined to act and ensure young girls can complete their education and make informed choices about their futures, free from early marriages and pregnancies before the age of 18,” Nyathi said.
“Our community has faced numerous incidents of shop raids and other crimes in our shopping centers. However, we have developed effective strategies to address these issues and ensure a safer environment for our business community and villagers,” Chair Added.
Vultures Diaspora Chairperson, Victor Vodloza Sibanda, emphasised that parents are taking action to address critical issues affecting their children and community.
“Parents have approached us with concerns about their daughters being late from school, allegedly due to interactions with school-leaver boys along the way. In response, we have taken steps to address the issue and prevent early marriages, ensuring the girls’ safety and education are prioritised,” Sibanda said.
He also revealed that they do random patrols.
“During peak school dismissal times, we conduct patrols around schools and along roads to monitor interactions between young girls and school-leaver boys. When necessary, we intervene, warning them to cease their activities and allowing the girls to exercise their rights and complete their education,” he said.
Sibanda emphasised that their initiative aims to empower young girls to shape their own futures, enabling them to pursue their dreams and become professionals in their chosen fields.
“Our goal is to empower every girl child in Gwanda South to complete her education, pursue higher learning, and unlock her potential. We envision a future where Gwanda South produces professionals, including doctors, rather than young mothers.
“Let us unite across the province to combat child pregnancies by launching patrols along school routes, discouraging interactions between school-leaver boys and young girls, and ensuring these girls can focus on their education without distraction or harm,” he said.
