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Kept in check by tradition, Zimbabwe’s women cricketers focus on future

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BY NYASHA CHINGONO

Mitchell Chivare, a 20-year-old who used to play for Zimbabwe’s national junior cricket team, takes her kit off the washing line in preparation for her comeback match as a blistering sun beats down on her back yard.

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She lives in Domboshava, a town just north of the capital Harare, and has spent more than a year away from the sport to have children.

A promising medium-pace swing bowler at one point earmarked for her country’s senior team, Chivare has been allowed by her husband to start playing again, but some of her former team-mates have not been so lucky.

“I have many of my friends who were very good at cricket but they have since stopped due to early marriages. Their husbands do not want them to play sports,” she told Reuters.

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Harmony Kurisa, founder and coach at Domboshava’s Harmonics Cricket Academy, where Chivare has learnt the game, tells the same story.

“We have lost many girls to early marriages… some of whom we had groomed for the national team,” he said.

“Most of them …their husbands forbid them from playing. We hope they will come back one day,” he added, saying three players had failed to return to the academy in the past year after becoming pregnant.

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Chivare said she married younger than she expected to, giving birth to her first child 18 months ago and her second two months ago and “I did not have anyone to leave them with when playing cricket.”

Now, with her mother able to look after both, she is free once more to pursue her dream of representing Zimbabwe as a full international.

 “I believe I will come back stronger. I still have the passion and the talent,” she said.

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Early marriages such as Chivare’s are common.

One in three Zimbabwean women aged 20 to 49 was married before the age of 18, according to UN  agency Unicef, and while women are legally free to follow careers, cultural traditions mean many are still expected to play subservient roles within marriage.

But despite such barriers, women’s cricket in Zimbabwe is on the up.

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The country was admitted last year to the 11-strong elite group of playing nations, and the team – including 17-year-old Harmony player Mitchell Mavunga – are currently in training for a T20 World Cup qualifying tournament in the United Arab Emirates in September. –  Reuters

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  1. gratis binance-konto

    July 29, 2024 at 11:54 am

    Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!

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Hwange

Jambezi officer of the law turns alleged rapist

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 39-year-old police officer stationed at Jambezi has been arraigned before the Victoria Falls Magistrates’ Court on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl. The alleged incident occurred on January 18, at around 12:30 am, when the accused officer reportedly pounced on the minor, who was with her cousin at the time.

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According to the allegations, the police officer questioned the two girls about their presence at that late hour, and they explained that they were waiting for their sister. The accused then dragged the 13-year-old behind a nearby shop, where he fondled her breasts, kissed her, and ultimately raped her.

In an attempt to silence his victim, the police officer bought her two soft drinks, two packets of biscuits, and a bottle of opaque beer. The accused has been remanded to February 7, pending further proceedings.

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Hwange

Victoria Falls man appears in court for rape of 13-year-old girl

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

A Victoria Falls man was arraigned before the Victoria Falls Magistrates Court on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl.

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According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the  alleged incident occurred on October 10, last year, at around 7 pm, at a house in Chinotimba Township.

The accused allegedly entered the complainant’s bedroom while she was alone, forcefully undressed her, and raped her.

After the assault, he threatened to kill her if she revealed the incident to anyone.

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The matter only came to light on January 12, when the complainant confided in her aunt about her ordeal.

The case has been remanded to tomorrow.

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Hwange

Victoria Falls man jailed for defying protection order, threatening ex-wife’s life

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A Victoria Falls man has been sentenced to ten months in prison for violating a protection order and threatening to kill his ex-wife.

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According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the man breached the protection order by visiting his ex-wife’s home, where he threatened her with a knife and hurled vulgar insults.

The court heard that the protection order had been issued to protect the ex-wife from her former husband’s abusive behavior.

However, the man flagrantly disregarded the order, putting his ex-wife’s life in danger.

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In passing sentence, the magistrate emphasized the seriousness of violating protection orders and the need to protect victims of domestic violence.

 

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