Mzimba South social welfare officer Bernard Nangwale has said his office has terminated 188 child marriages.
The exercise comes a week after schools reopened in the country following their closure in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an interview, Nangwale said the exercise will continue to ensure that all children who got married go back to school.
“Our deadline is September 30 to withdraw all children from marriages,” he said.
Nangwale warned some parents who hide information about their children’s marriages, saying they will face the law.
In a separate interview, M’Mbelwa District Council director of education, youth and sports Fiddles Msowoya said there is need to support learners withdrawn from child marriages.
“They need financial and psychosocial support to continue with their education,” she said.
Mzimba Social Welfare Office indicates that about 320 girls went into marriages between March and August this year.
Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati ordered traditional leaders in the country to terminate child marriages and send those involved back to school.
