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The Harare civil court has ordered the girlfriend of a married man to pay his wife US$8,000 in damages for breaking up the couple’s marriage.
The court ruled that Sheba Uta must pay damages to Rosemary Chinhoi for having an affair with James Chinhoi, Rosemary’s husband of 30 years.
As reported by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/girlfriend-ordered-to-pay-us8-000-in-damages/">The Herald</a>, Rosemary had sued for US$30 000 in adultery-related damages broken down as follows: US$10 000 for contumelia, US$10 000 for loss of consortium, US$5 000 compensation for the high blood pressure and stress caused by the affair.
The remainder was to be compensation for the unhonoured promise that Uta, who is also Rosemary’s relative, would stop the affair.
However, after a fully contested civil trial, Harare magistrate Tamara Chibindi reduced the claim from US$30 000 to $8 000 for both contumelia and loss of consortium. Ruled Chibindi:
<blockquote>
Accordingly, the plaintiff’s claim succeeds and the defendant is hereby ordered to pay the plaintiff the sum of US$8 000 or its equivalent in value in local currency at the official interbank rate calculated on the date of payment, together with interest to be calculated at the prescribed rate from the date of this judgment.
</blockquote>
The judge ruled that a civil claim for adultery damages was still relevant even in a progressive society like Zimbabwe which has its social values sanctified in the Constitution.
Chibindi said that where evidence was flawless as in the case that Chinhoi was injured, insulted and subjected to indignity, contumelia umbrella damages were justified.
The judge dismissed Uta’s defence as vexatious and frivolous, ruling that she was acting insincerely when she mounted her defence. Said Chibindi:
<blockquote>
Parts of her defence were clearly dishonest. More so, the defendant wasted the court’s time by defending this action when there was overwhelming evidence against her. Thus the costs on a higher scale are justified in these circumstances.
</blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, the marriage institution is protected under Section 78 of the Constitution and it is well established in the nation’s culture, religion and traditions.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Harare Court Orders Girlfriend to Pay US$8,000 Damages For Breaking Up Marriage

Prisca Mupfumira, the ZANU PF Senator for Mashonaland West province, asserts that girlfriends of married men, colloquially known as “small houses,” should not receive benefits from a deceased estate to the detriment of the deceased’s spouse.
As of 2022, the Marriages Act (Chapter 5:15) acknowledges ‘civil partnerships’—unions between a man and a woman who cohabit without the customary payment of lobola—and grants property rights to the individuals in such relationships.
During a Senate debate initiated by Mashonaland West Senator Bybit Lydia Tsomondo, Mupfumira emphasized that “small houses” should not automatically inherit from a deceased estate solely based on cohabitation. She said (<a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-senator-calls-for-protection-of-widows-from-small-houses">via The Sunday Mail</a>):
<blockquote>
You find that sometimes some girlfriends end up benefitting. It might be because the husband was cohabitating with a girlfriend for three months and you find such a woman benefitting…Because he died while staying with a small house, she ends up taking everything.
</blockquote>
The Marriages Act, which was promulgated in May 2022 and took effect in August 2022, repealed both the Customary Marriages Act (Chapter 5:07) and the Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11). Now, there is one comprehensive law governing all marriages in Zimbabwe.
Here are the salient points to note from the Marriages Act:
<h2>1. AGE OF MARRIAGE</h2>
The minimum age of marriage is 18 years for both girls and boys. It is, therefore, a crime to marry off a child and anyone involved in that will be prosecuted. It is a substantial crime if the parents or guardians are involved.
<h2>2. CONSENT</h2>
There must be free and full consent from anyone wanting to get married.
<h2>3. TYPES OF MARRIAGES:</h2>
a). A civil marriage is a monogamous marriage between a man and a woman.
b). A registered customary marriage is potentially polygamous and done according to customary rites.
c). A qualified marriage is a union contracted according to religious rites which is not registrable as civil or customary marriage and is potentially polygamous.
A registered customary law marriage may be converted to a civil marriage.
<h2>4. UNREGISTERED CUSTOMARY LAW UNIONS (KUBVISIRANA PFUMA)</h2>
<ul>
<li>Unregistered customary law unions are not recognised marriages</li>
<li>Unions contracted after the new ACT must register within 3 months of the date of the union.</li>
<li>However, unions that existed before this ACT must be registered within 12 months.</li>
<li>Failure to register does not invalidate the union, guardianship, custody and the rights of succession of children in such a marriage. (limited recognition).</li>
</ul>
<h2>5. CIVIL PARTNERSHIP (KUBIKA MAPOTO)</h2>
It is not a marriage but recognised ONLY for purposes of property sharing It is a relationship of a man and a woman above the age of 18 years living together on a genuine domestic basis It can co-exist with any other marriage including a Cavil marriage.
<h2>6. EQUAL STATUS OF ALL MARRIAGES</h2>
All marriages are equal. there is no marriage superior to the other.
<h2>7. LOBOLA</h2>
For customary law marriages, the agreement relating to lobola or marriage consideration is necessary. Customary law formalities are a prerequisite.
<h2>8. EQUAL RIGHTS</h2>
Parties to a marriage have equal rights and obligations during the subsistence of the marriage and at its dissolution.
<h2>9. MARRIAGE OFFICERS:</h2>
a. Magistrates
b. Ministers of religion
c. Chiefs (they solemnise customary marriages)
d. Heads of embassies
<h2>10. DIVORCE LAW (MATRIMONIAL CAUSES ACT)</h2>
The law on divorce applies to all types of marriages and civil partnerships but does not apply to unregistered customary law unions.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Prisca Mupfumira Calls For Protection Of Widows From “Small Houses”

Couples who received marriage certificates after the repeal of the Marriage Act 5:11 should visit the Civil Registry Department to correct any “defective” legal citations and ensure alignment with the new laws for validity.
This concern arises from marriage officers and legal practitioners who believe that marriage certificates issued after the repeal of the Marriage Act 5:11 may be invalid because they reference the old law rather than the new Act (Chapter 5:17).
On May 27, 2022, President Emmerson Mnangagwa passed into law a new marriage law, the Marriages Act (Chapter 5:17) which brought radical changes to the marriage laws in Zimbabwe, with the Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11) and Customary Marriages Act (Chapter 5:07) being repealed.
The coming into effect of the new Marriage Act was announced in a statutory instrument of a Government Gazette published in September 2022.
In a statement, the Law Society of Zimbabwe executive secretary Edward Mapara urged couples to check their marriage certificates after a worrying discrepancy was identified whereby certificates have been issued referenced to an invalid Act.
While the law itself has been updated, the physical marriage certificates have not, meaning that couples are unknowingly holding onto documents that incorrectly cite “Chapter 5:11” of the Act. Said Mapara:
<blockquote>
It has come to our attention that marriage certificates currently being issued by the Registrar-General’s Office contain an error. The certificates incorrectly cite Chapter 5:11 of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:17].
We advise that lawyers and individuals rectify this error by taking the incorrect certificates to (one) Mr Mpala at the Registrar-General’s Office for amendment.
Furthermore, members instructed in divorce proceedings should ensure the marriage certificates are corrected, as a divorce cannot be founded on a defective certificate.
</blockquote>
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024643/hundreds-of-marriage-certificates-invalid">NewsDay</a>, legal expert Aaron Hamauswa said without correcting the information on the marriage certificate, the marriage is null and void according to the country’s laws. Said Hamauswa:
<blockquote>
The High Court has the power to declare a marriage void where the grounds for doing so exist.
Where there is a declaration of nullity, it is as if the parties never entered into a marriage at all.
The grounds on which a marriage can be declared void are classified into two; non-compliance with the formal requirements and non-compliance with the material requirements like in this case.
</blockquote>
Responding to written questions from <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/registry-recalls-defective-marriage-certificates/">Chronicle</a>, Civil Registry spokesperson Tsungai Muguti said while the department was awaiting a statutory instrument from the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, couples concerned should approach their offices for assistance. She said:
<blockquote>
Those who got married after the Act was repealed can still come to the office and have that changed.
As a department, we cannot change the certificates or forms as yet until the gazetting of the S.I. by the Ministry of Justice so that we can print the certificates with the new Act.
Our marriage officers from around the country are aware of this and we urge those affected to proceed to our offices and see Mr Mpala who is the deputy registrar general.
Unfortunately, our provincial officers do not have marriage offices so it makes sense that those affected see Mr Mpala who is based in Harare.
</blockquote>
Commenting on the issue, family lawyer Shepherd Chingarande said those who got married after the new Act was passed in 2022 should check if their certificates have the correct Act and stamp. He said:
<blockquote>
Marriage certificates are written 5:11, a law that was repealed by the new Marriage Act in 2022. Marriage certificates should read Chapter 5:17 but sadly we continue seeing certificates that quote the old act.
Their certificates arise from an act that no longer exists and at law, there is a possibility that all marriages entered into after the repelling of 5:11 might be non-existent.
So, as legal practitioners, we are saying these people are not married as there should be an Act passed to validate those weddings.
For example, if a client with such a certificate wants to divorce, I need to go to court and get the certificate corrected first as that marriage is null and void. There has to be a bridging Act to regularise those marriages.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"Marriage Certificates Issued After September 2022 Are Invalid"

A married female cabinet minister who is at the centre of a cheating scandal allegedly faked a break-in after her husband caught her with her boyfriend at their home.
As reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/a-home-invasion-call-to-police-ends-with-minister-exposed-as-love-cheat/">ZimLive</a>, the minister who cannot be named for legal reasons, on a date in late January this year, phoned Makoni police in Chitungwiza and reported that there was an intruder at her home in the neighbourhood.
Police officers rushed to the minister’s home and arrested the man, who said he was from Rwanda, but she allegedly asked them not to question him.
According to ZimLive, the minister was appointed to cabinet last September after years of activism in a women’s organisation established to praise President Emmerson Mnangagwa. She is said to be in her late 30s.
The police officers followed their normal procedures and hauled the “intruder” in for questioning anyway, and at the end of the interview, they had gathered information which may end the minister’s marriage and career. A source familiar with the discussions told ZimLive:
<blockquote>
Unsure how to proceed, senior officers told the minister that it was best to resolve the matter away from the glare of the public, which was inevitable if they took him to court. No charges were brought and the man was released.
</blockquote>
The “intruder” allegedly told the officers that the minister had invited him to the house and that he was the father of her two children whom she has for years passed off as her husband’s. Said the source:
<blockquote>
He produced DNA results showing that he was the father of the minister’s two children.
He went further, he said he built the house where he had just been arrested and has receipts for all the materials used to construct it.
</blockquote>
The man told the police officers that he had been at the house because the minister called her for a meeting – before her husband arrived unexpectedly. Said a source:
<blockquote>
She had called the Rwandese guy to discuss child support, she wanted US$10 000 per month.
When her husband arrived, the minister didn’t think she could explain the scene away and decided to call the police saying the man was an intruder.
Her husband now knows the truth because of her clumsy handling of the incident.
</blockquote>
ZimLive reported they were not been able to independently confirm the man’s claims of being the father of the minister’s two children.
When the minister was asked to comment on the allegations. She responded: “I can’t comment.”
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “I haven’t received such a report.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Cabinet Minister Fakes Break-in After Hubby Catches Her With Boyfriend

An elderly couple that had been separated for 35 years tied the knot on Thursday at the Magistrate’s Court in Bulawayo.
James (78) and Catherine (73) Ndlovu said they fell in love in the 1970s but separated due to interference from family members and friends.
The two worked at different companies but were in constant touch during the three-and-a-half decades of separation.
Just two months ago, James suggested that they should solidify their union through marriage. He told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/elderly-couple-ties-the-knot-after-35-years-of-separation/">Chronicle</a>:
<blockquote>
We have always been in love. We separated for 35 years due to complications driven by family and friends but here we are today. We love each other and nothing can stand in the way of love.
Our story is unique and we really and are madly and deeply in love with each other.
At our age, many people may think of us as senile but we are fulfilling a promise we made to each other years ago.
We do not have much time on earth and want to spend the rest of our lives embraced in each other’s warm and loving embrace.
</blockquote>
The couple has two children together and are grandparents to four grandchildren. Said Catherine:
<blockquote>
During our separation, we always used to see each other. We lived in the same neighbourhood.
Our children when we were on separation vowed to get us back together because whenever they would visit the other parent felt the loneliness and huge void.
</blockquote>
Soon after the wedding family and friends gathered at Playville Planet for cake and meal.
The couple then departed for their destination and honeymoon at their home in Greenlands along Bulawayo-Harare Road. Added Catherine:
<blockquote>
Our family arranged everything and they made me feel like an 18-year-old bride, which is something I have never felt before.
</blockquote>
James cautioned young people not to rush into marriage before getting to know one another. He said:
<blockquote>
This is the reason why you find there is so much anger and hatred among the youth because they do not know each other.
Let love lead and love one another. Nothing can stand in the way of love.
</blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, white weddings are held in high regard but they are preceded by roora ceremony, which is a traditional practice of paying a bride price to the bride’s family by the groom’s family.
In recent years, Zimbabwean couples have generally been shying away from the Western white dress, choosing to infuse traditional themes into their outfits instead.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Elderly Couple Weds After 35 Years Of Separation

Three siblings from Chimanimani District have approached a traditional court seeking to find out why 16 of their female relatives between the ages of 20 and 40 are not yet married.
The three, Loveness Chihota (34), Anniah Chokera (27) and Liberty Chokera, said they want to know what is causing marriage delays in the family.
They are accusing their uncles Oliver, Nobert, Lovemore, John, Ngwarirai and Tendai Chokera of witchcraft, and have dragged them to Acting Chief Saurombe’s court.
Speaking in a recent interview with <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/family-of-16-unmarried-women/">The Manica Post</a>, Anniah claimed that each time one of them elopes, she is sent back within a week as they manifest with some spirit demanding them back home. She said:
<blockquote>
We are cousins suffering from this strange phenomenon. In fact, a total of 16 women are not married in our family. We have tried to seek an audience with our fathers, but it seems as if all of them do not care.
They act as if they are working in cohorts to stop us from getting married. We have secretly approached spiritual healers and we were told that our fathers are behind our suffering.
It is getting out of hand because when one of us elopes, they are possessed by an unknown spirit and manifests in front of the in-laws.
Within a week, they would have sent you back to your parents’ home. This has been happening for a long time. Most of us have encountered this.
</blockquote>
Testifying before the court, Loveness said women from her family are very good looking but men in the area are now afraid of befriending or dating women. Said Loveness:
<blockquote>
We have tried to engage our fathers over this issue, but our pleas have been falling on deaf ears.
We decided to seek the services of the traditional courts for our plea to be heard.
We are good looking, but potential suitors from our area no longer want to get close to us.
</blockquote>
She also claimed that some of their siblings suffer from bouts of mental illness.
In response to the allegations on behalf of all his brothers, Nobert said they were not responsible for what was happening in their family but were equally concerned. He said:
<blockquote>
No father wants to see his daughter remain single forever. Our daughters are very beautiful and we also wonder why no one is trying to seek their hands in marriage.
</blockquote>
The family was referred to a traditional healer, but the “sangoma” ordered them to come back with their brother, Tendai, who was absent on the day.
The matter was adjourned to Sunday, 22 October.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Family Of 16 Unmarried Women Seeks Help

In a recent ruling by the High Court in Masvingo, it was determined that a married spouse without title deeds does not have the authority to evict their spouse’s lover from the matrimonial home.
Justices Garainesu Mawadze and Sunsley Zisengwe granted the appeal, with Justice Zisengwe delivering the judgment. He stated that a spouse without legal ownership can only seek damages and lacks the legal standing to evict their spouse’s lover. Justice Zisengwe expressed dissatisfaction with the current law, as it undermines women’s rights and contradicts the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which Zimbabwe has ratified. Zisengwe said:
<blockquote>
I find the proposition that a husband is at liberty to bring live-in girlfriends into the matrimonial home with impunity is inimical to the principle of equality between the sexes and appears to be providing a right carte-blanche to men to bring into the matrimonial home live-in mistresses.
Not only does that offend the express provisions of the Constitution as aforesaid, but also runs contrary to the ideal spouse in the CEDAW which Zimbabwe has ratified. A married woman should not be placed in the invidious and inequitable position where she is compelled to choose between continuing with the marriage and endure this kind of severe emotional abuse or simply get a divorce.
Alongside a claim for adultery damages against a paramour and an action for divorce against the husband, a married woman should also have recourse by way of eviction against a woman who literally hops into the matrimonial bed with her husband. Regrettably respondent’s claim for an order interdicting the 1st appellant from continuing with her adulterous relationship with the 2nd appellant somehow fell by the wayside and ultimately was not an issue for determination in this appeal.
</blockquote>
He emphasized that women in monogamous marriages should have the right to initiate eviction proceedings against their spouse’s lovers to protect the sanctity of their marriages.
<h3>Some context:</h3>
In 2021, Jane Musindo (42) was granted an appeal after being evicted from the Kereke homestead by Mbuya Leocadia Kereke nee Muroiwa (74). Leocadia and her boyfriend, Sekuru Augustine Tongai Kereke (83), were the appellants in the appeal. Sekuru Kereke claimed that Musindo is his second wife and cares for him more than his wife of 56 years. The ruling confirmed their open adulterous relationship, with Justice Zisengwe referring to Leocadia as Sekuru Kereke’s mistress. The High Court ruled that Mbuya Kereke does not own the homestead, so she lacks the legal authority to evict Leocadia, despite their marriage under the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11] in 1966. Mbuya Kereke can only seek damages.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

High Court Rules That A Married Spouse Without Title Deeds Can't Evict Their Spouse's Lover

At least 30 per cent of new marriages are collapsing within five years, reported <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/30-percent-of-unions-collapse-within-five-years-marriages-under-attack">The Sunday Mail</a>.
The Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) has said the number of divorce cases filed in courts across the country increased by more than 100 per cent in the 12 months through to December 2022.
The JSC revealed that in 2022, 2 735 divorce applications were received, while 1 351 were received in 2021.
The couples who were divorcing were married either under the Marriages Act Chapter 5:11 or the Customary Marriages Act Chapter 5:07.
Reasons cited in the divorce files include abuse, lack of communication, financial challenges and infidelity.
Harare recorded the highest number, 981, and Bulawayo was in second position with 403 cases.
Chief Ndima Chimareketa of Chimanimani told The Sunday Mail that there is a need for counselling young couples who lack a basic understanding of marriage. He said:
<blockquote>
Divorce cases involving customary marriages are on the rise. We deal with most of them at community level because they were never legally registered.
However, in some cases, where properties are involved and where the two parties cannot reach a mutual agreement, we then refer them to courts.
Depending on the case, sometimes, we try to counsel the couples first. If they still insist on divorce, we then let them be.
We came up with the counselling strategy after noting that some of these young couples lack a basic understanding of marriage and they simply need to be taken through the steps.
</blockquote>
Shelter Shenjere, a marriage counsellor, said at least two out of an average of seven marriage-counselling cases she handles per week end up in divorce. She said:
<blockquote>
People no longer respect the sanctity of marriage. Divorce has been normalised as one of the “best” ways of revenge or money-making schemes.
</blockquote>
Roman Catholic priest Father Paul Mayeresa told The Sunday Mail that most couples are now marrying for the wrong reasons. Said the clergyman:
<blockquote>
These days, most couples marry either for money or fame. As a result, most of these marriages lack affection and end up in divorce.
The priest said in the past, marriage was considered sacred but that’s no longer the case. He said:
Divorce was not common in Zimbabwe, hence it was highly stigmatised. However, society has evolved and separation is no longer a surprise.
Although this is not new, traditionally, families had ways of resolving issues behind closed doors, but it is no longer the case these days as most couples lack patience.
Children could even be born out of wedlock, but dirty linen was never washed in public, and because people married out of love, issues were solved, couples forgave each other and they peacefully continued with life.
</blockquote>
Psychologist Nisbert Mangoro believes mental health issues are taking a toll on several marriages.
He said due to mental health issues most people now seek solace in drug and substance abuse, which has adverse effects on their marriages or families.
Social commentator Rebecca Chisamba said most marriages are now “business arrangements”, where people get married for benefits, and not love.
She encouraged couples to seek the advice of an independent counsellor as this may help save and strengthen the union.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Divorce Cases Spiked By Over 100% In 2022

A Mutasa couple was reportedly married for a few minutes before the bride’s parents broke off the union after finding out that the man was not a virgin, and was in fact, a divorcee.
The man, Prince Stefano (30) of Mandeya Village, told <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/marriage-lasts-a-few-minutes/">The Manica Post</a> that he paid a bride price of US$345 for 21-year-old Chiedza Mudzedze who is said to be a virgin. He said:
<blockquote>
I paid US$345 as the bride price. That is what had been communicated to me. However, when we went for the bride price-paying ceremony, they demanded US$800, which I did not have.
They said they would only give me my wife after paying the full amount, but these were only delaying tactics.
They did not want me to marry Chiedza because they had found out that I have a nine-year-old son.
</blockquote>
Stefano said he paid the bride price on 3 March this year but the Mudzedze family recently informed him that they would refund him his money. He said:
<blockquote>
Chiedza is a virgin, I understand, but her family is just bitter. Her bitter sister sent me voice notes saying I was a pauper and that as a family, they had agreed that I will not be able to take care of her sister.
</blockquote>
He said he has approached Chiedza’s family to get a reimbursement, but they seem reluctant to refund him.
Chiedza, who is from Nyatsuro Village, Honde Valley, told The Manica Post that she is worth more than US$345 as she is a virgin. She said:
<blockquote>
I am a virgin and where in this world have you heard of a virgin being married for that lousy amount? I am still young.
I am only 21 and will eventually find someone worthy of me, someone who has never been with another woman.
Prince wasted my time and lied to me that he was a virgin too. Had I not probed him, he would not have told me of his previous marriage.
I will not compete with another woman for him. Do you think his ex-wife will be happy if she hears that he married me?
We will give him his money but on our own terms. He should stop sending people here. You can also tell him that he is a loser.
</blockquote>
Chiedza’s sister, who refused to identify herself, said Prince disrespected her family for showing up for the lobola ceremony dressed in a pair of ripped Denim trousers, a work-suit jacket and some crocs slippers. She said:
<blockquote>
It was shameful for him to show up like that. What sort of dressing is that? We will not have it as a family.
It shows that he is very disrespectful. We will refund him when we feel like it.
As it is, we feel as if we deserve that money because they did not even bring any groceries, save for one chicken.
We prepared them our food, yet they had come with a car. They pretended to be well up, yet they are not.
</blockquote>
Prince’s aunt, Tsitsi Munyebvu Stefano said her family is planning to report the matter to the traditional leadership of the area so that they get a refund. She said:
<blockquote>
This is a family of crooks. They should have told us that they had decided otherwise before accepting Prince’s money.
I don’t know why Prince went for the lobola ceremony while donning a pair of ripped jeans and informal shoes.
What I know is that he is a good man. He did not know that he had a son until last year when his ex-wife told him.
Can that really be held against someone? I do not think so.
The families should find each other so that we can move forward. We love our daughter-in-law and I believe she also loves Prince.
</blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, virginity is highly valued as a sign of purity, chastity, and moral fortitude but in most cases focus is on the bride rather than the bridegroom.
It is believed that a virgin wife will be more faithful, loyal, and submissive to her husband.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"Marriage" Ends After In-laws Demand Lobola Top Up

A man from Mutasa, Manicaland Province, claims his in-laws defrauded him by marrying off his wife of six years to another man behind his back.
Livingstone Chimombe (36) told <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/double-dipping-in-laws-marry-off-daughter-to-new-man/">The Manica</a><a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/double-dipping-in-laws-marry-off-daughter-to-new-man/"> Post</a> that his wife, Pamela Nyarukuwa (30) was married off by her family on 17 December after he was made to believe that she was only visiting her family for a traditional rite. He said:
<blockquote>
Pamela was my wife for six years and we have a five-month-old baby together. In December, she told me that she was travelling to her maternal grandparents’ home as her brothers wanted to pay chiredzwa for her to her grandparents who looked after her as she grew up.
I gave her US$40 to buy drinks for my in-laws and US$20 for her well-being. Little did I know that she was going to get married to someone else.
She would tell me that everything was going on well because I had failed to accompany her due to work commitments.
I honestly thought she was talking about the chiredzwa (thank you token) proceedings, but instead, she was talking about her marriage.
After her marriage, she went back to the house I was renting for her in Sakubva and stayed there while I was at work in Old Mutare.
</blockquote>
Chimombe further claimed that he only got to know of Pamela’s new husband after her uncle informed him. He said:
<blockquote>
The uncle told me that they were shocked when a new man appeared on the day as they expected me as they had been told.
When I went to Sakubva to confront her, Pamela called the police and I was arrested.
I am so heartbroken that I do not know what to do. She even changed goalposts and claimed that the child was not mine.
She should come back and collect her belongings that are still at my house in Old Mutare.
</blockquote>
Chimombe said that he was in the process of reporting the matter at Chief Mutasa’s court so that the Nyarukuwas will reimburse his roora.
However, the Jerera and Nyarukuwa families denied that Chimombe was their son-in-law.
They said that during the course of the six-year-old partnership between Chimombe and their daughter, no bride price was paid to them.
Pamela said she was never married to Chimombe but was only dating him saying they were not staying together. She said:
<blockquote>
I left this man some months back. I even blocked all his numbers as he keeps pestering me, asking me to rekindle our lost love.
I never stayed with [him]. He stayed elsewhere while I stayed in Sakubva. He only paid my rent because we were dating.
</blockquote>
Nyarukuwa’s uncle, Billy Jerera, confirmed that his niece stayed with Chimombe for six years but that he did not pay the bride price.
Chimombe confirmed not paying the bride price for Pamela, saying she always denied him access to her relatives. He said:
<blockquote>
I would have paid lobola for her in 2017, but she refused, saying that chiredzwa had not yet been paid to her grandparents.
I took this woman to school with my money, but she is now paying me back in this manner.
</blockquote>

Mutasa Man Accuses His In-laws Of Marrying Off His Wife Behind His Back

A South African-based Zimbabwean couple perished in a car crash in South Africa just 11 days after tying the knot back home.
Shadreck Masuku (40) and Thabitha Mbambo (26) exchanged their wedding vows on 27 December 2022 in Bulawayo and died in a car accident in South Africa on 7 January 2023.
The couple, alongside Thabitha’s sister, Nkosinothando Sibanda (42), died on the spot following a car accident at Kranskop, Limpopo Province.
An unknown friend of the couple who had asked for a lift also died in the accident.
The couple’s one-year-11-month-old daughter was critically injured and left fighting for her life at a South African hospital.
Former ZBC presenter Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda speared efforts to raise funds to bring Nkosinothando’s body back home as she had no funeral policy.
Three hearses led hundreds of people to the Umvutsha Cemetery in Bulawayo, where the trio was laid to rest.
Sithabile Tshabangu, a representative of the Mbambo family, said it was a tragedy to lose the two siblings at once. She said:
<blockquote>
The two girls are my sister’s daughters. They were, however, brought up by their grandmother, who is my mother. We never thought we would lose them like this and at once.
The couple had just gotten married and was preparing for their traditional wedding which was supposed to take place in April.
We are deeply wounded as a family to have buried them today.
</blockquote>
A resident from Entumbane only identified as MaNdlovu said news of the two sisters’ death came as a shock. She said:
<blockquote>
The two girls were inseparable. Even when they were growing up, we would see them together everywhere.
It is sad they had to end up dying together. We also greatly lost as a community because they were our children.
</blockquote>

SA-based Zimbabwean Couple Killed In Accident 11 Days After Wedding

Comedienne, Mai TT, whose real name is Felistas Murata, says marriage has no formula and married people can still have problems even if they do everything right.
Mai TT, who has been having challenges in her marriage, posted her remarks on Facebook.
Critics believe Mai TT was taking a dig at another comedienne Madam Boss, who is reportedly facing serious marital challenges. Wrote Mai TT:
<blockquote>
Marriage has got no formula 
Each time when a man does his shenanigans we blame women, hee dressing, character, personality bla bla bla come on guys.
A man will still cheat on his decent and perfect wife who he met whilst she was still a virgin.
A man will cheat on his wife despite the wife being respectful, responsible and beautiful.
Beauty will not keep a man, even brains will not, respect, and being faithful won’t keep him too.
Even if you are the sexiest woman on earth if a man wants to cheat he will do so with the least of the person you were expecting. So let’s not do fault-finding in relationships, some men married strippers they met in the pub till now they are together. 
Some men get beaten by their wives but they are still together and you wonder what are they still doing there.
Some men live with the most talkative wives ever but still, they are going strong. 
Love, Marriage and how to keep it longer is unknown, it’s an unknown equation.
If you are in a perfect marriage or relationship then thank your God because it is not a bed of roses.
Whilst you are at it do not laugh at those failing to keep their relationships, they also are putting in effort just like you are doing. 
When it turns out bad It is also up to you to stay or leave, you do not need any advice when you are the one wearing the shoe. You know how painful it is.
However normalizing cheating is one of the most painful things ever.
There are really good people out there who are still asking themselves, what did I really do? or where did I get it wrong?
But hey listen! You did the best you could to keep it together but what keeps someone is someone who wants to be kept.
</blockquote>

Marriage Has No Formula, Beauty, Brains, Virginity Don't Matter, Says Mai TT

A woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who married two husbands has explained how she ended up in the situation.
Polyandry (a union whereby one woman marries more than one husband and lives with them in the same house) is not common in Africa.
But Francine Jisele lives with her first husband Remi Murula and her second one Albert Jarlace in the same house with their children.
Speaking to Afrimax English in an interview, Jisele said she got married six years ago to Murula and the couple had two children.
Murula left to go and look for greener pastures and there was no communication between the two for more than three years. Said Jisele:
<blockquote>
Just because life was not easy, the man went on a trip and never came back. I found myself alone out here, I spent three years and a half in a single life without my husband.
After those years I lost him I fell in love with this other man. After one year with the second husband, the first one came back.
</blockquote>
She said she hadn’t expected her husband to come back after being away for all those years.
The second husband, Albert Jarlace, revealed that she started staying with Jisele before she told him that she had another man. Said Jarlace:
<blockquote>
I met this woman when I was working in the mining industry and she told me that she had another husband and how that man left her saying that he was going to find a life.
</blockquote>
Jarlace said when Murula returned, Jisele asked him to leave but he felt that it was necessary to stay with her as they already had a child together. He added:
<blockquote>
I felt I had no choice because we were already together since I had lived with her not knowing she had another man.
</blockquote>
Murula believes he is partly to blame for the situation as he cut off all communication with his wife for a long time. He said:
<blockquote>
Tuko watatu (there are two men here and here). We get along well, this woman is our wife. Since I left I didn’t talk to my wife once. When I came back I found my wife with another man.
At first, I threw a tantrum but I realised if had talked to my wife she wouldn’t have done anything like that. I had no place to go and I was at fault.
</blockquote>
The men share the work and bring home the food while the lady respects both of them.
The concern they have is not being able to tell the children apart.
When it comes to intimate moments, one of the men leaves the other to enjoy.
The woman is the one who identifies the father of the children.
Meanwhile, Jisele said it’s hard for her; she wishes each man had a home and she would go to them.
She said she doesn’t want the three of them to keep meeting in the same bedroom at the same time. | Legit.ng via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/woman-married-to-two-men-opens-up/">The Herald</a>

Congolese Woman Married To Two Men Opens Up

A Harare woman has dragged her estranged husband to the Harare Civil Court accusing him of sexually abusing her.
Juliet Mapapu appeared before the court on Tuesday seeking a protection order against her husband Shepherd Gurusa.
Mapapu alleged that Gurusa insults her, calls her a witch and also accused him of pushing to bring a second wife to their matrimonial home and trying to evict her. She said:
<blockquote>
When I asked Shepherd for money to maintain our children, he insulted me calling me a witch because he had been involved in an accident.
I don’t want him to bring someone else to our matrimonial home we built together.
</blockquote>
In his defence, Gurusa said they are married under the customary marriage and he has a right to marry more wives. He said:
<blockquote>
She is bitter because I told her that I am going to marry another wife. It’s been two years since we separated and I am taking care of my children.
We are husband and wife under the customary marriage, which allows me to marry more wives, and she is against it.
</blockquote>
Magistrate Rutendo Machingura dismissed the protection order application for lack of merit.
More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/hubby-sexually-abuses-wife/">H-Metro</a>

Harare Woman Accuses Hubby Of Sexual Abuse

The three wives of renowned Bulawayo-based gynaecologist, Professor Solwayo Ngwenya, say they have managed to build a sisterhood rarely seen in a polygamous setup.
Prof Ngwenya’s three wives, MaMnkandla, MaMkwananzi and MaKhanye spoke to the Chronicle this week about their polygamous marriage.
The youngest MaKhanye recently gave birth and MaMkwananzi is heavily pregnant, which left MaMnkandla the senior to speak in depth about their marriage. She said:
<blockquote>
Most people are quick to claim that maybe we are being abused or that we are backward etc but the truth is polygamy is part of us as a people and there is nothing wrong with it as long as you accept the conditions and why it exists in the first place.
I knew that I would have sister wives from day one and when I was told that MaMkwananzi was joining us, I even called my family and told them that I had a sister wife.
Yes, we are housewives and we have no regrets so far as we understand why we are here and our duties in the Ngwenya household.
We are not slaves, no, we actually have two domestic workers to help us with the cooking and cleaning as we have a duty to take care of all Ngwenya children.
We live in one big house, each one of us has a bedroom and a bathroom but we share the kitchen, lounge, TV area and everything in the house.
We value family time so much and as such we have one television set which we share as we try and bond as sister wives and the children.
</blockquote>
Prof Ngwenya has eight children and has said his minimum target is 12.
MaMnkandla said they have learnt to resolve disputes peaceably adding that moods are not tolerated in the household. She said:
<blockquote>
You know polygamy is easily manageable when all parties take responsibility for playing their part, it works perfectly.
My sister-wives are like my own biological sisters and yes, we are bound to disagree and fight but we always find a way to keep the Ngwenya household happy.
… We also know that we may have future sister wives who must be able to jell in and help us grow the Ngwenya clan.
If he dies as some people usually say, we will continue living together and raising the children together as been the norm in this household.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/dr-solwayo-part-2-wives-speak-on-polygamous-marriage/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Prof Ngwenya's Wives Speak On Polygamous Marriage

A polyandrous woman from Dora, Mutare was recently summoned to appear before Acting Chief Zimunya’s court.
Polyandry is when a woman is married to two or more men at the same time and this is not only illegal but also taboo in Zimbabwe.
Mollen Gamira allegedly stayed with her husband and her lover for months before the husband became aware of it and chased her from their matrimonial home.
Gamira is reportedly now staying with her lover and expecting his child.
Acting Chief Zimunya confirmed the love triangle involving Gamira, her husband, Washington Bvirindi of Bvirindi Village and her lover, Tafadzwa Manomano of Chitiyo Village.
The matter has since been heard before Acting Chief Zimunya’s court, but Gamira refuse to attend the court session. She said:
<blockquote>
I did not see why l was supposed to attend the court session in the absence of my relatives.
They should have summoned some of my relatives too, otherwise, I will never set foot at that court.
</blockquote>
The court heard that Gamira and Bvirindi have three daughters, while Gamira is reportedly carrying Manomano’s child.
It was revealed that Gamira would take turns staying with either of the two men without their knowledge.
The affair with Manomano started in February, a few months after Gamira and Bvirindi had relocated from South Africa.
Gamira then moved in with Manomano in April after finding out that she was pregnant.
She had made Manomano believe that she was a single mother of one. Said Acting Chief Zimunya:
<blockquote>
The two men work for the same company, so when the other one was off duty, Gamira would stay with him.
This is unheard of and it is taboo for a woman to be married to two men at the same time.
Both men did not know that they were being tricked. Bvirindi thought that his wife would be on duty as she used to work at a nightclub at Chikosi Business Centre in Rowa.
When visiting her husband in Bvirindi, she would lie to Manomano that she was going to see her child.
</blockquote>
Gamira’s shenanigans were exposed when Bvirindi followed his wife to her “workplace”, only to discover that she was, in fact, cohabiting with Manomano.
After that, Bvirindi visited Manomano’s homestead on countless occasions with the intention of bringing his wife back home, but with no joy.
The three were later summoned to Acting Chief Zimunya’s court and Bvirindi surrendered all of Gamira’s property, stating that it was over between them.
Gamira confirmed to The Manica Post that she treated both men as husbands for a period of time. She said:
<blockquote>
It is true that I left home early this year to work at a night club and that is where I met Manomano. I was still married to Bvirindi.
At first, I tricked both men and equally treated them as my husbands but that has changed now and l am now staying with Manomano.
When I fell in love with Manomano, I lied to him that I only had one child and that I was single.
We decided that I should leave my job at the nightclub and cohabit. I obliged and we started staying together as husband and wife.
… I left Bvirindi because he is violent. During our 10 years of marriage, he was very abusive toward me.
This is why I did not tell him that I was already someone else’s wife. I feared that he would assault or even kill me.
</blockquote>
Bvirindi’s brother, Elias Bvirindi, confirmed the development, saying his wife is the one taking care of Gamira’s three children.
Manomano confirmed to The Manica Post that he was staying with Gamira, adding that they are expecting their first child.
He also said he is in the process of applying for a protection order against Bvirindi as he always makes a scene whenever they meet.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/married-to-two-men/">The Manica Post</a></h4>

Mutare Woman "Marries" Two Men

The new Marriages Act has been assented to by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and gazetted as law on Friday last week.
The law brings all marriage laws together, makes all marriages equal and provides a way to transform a registered customary union into a civil marriage.
The law also bans child marriages, with those arranging or solemnising such marriages facing five years in jail.
The Marriages Act recognises all marriages as equal, with a single register of marriages maintained by a single Registrar of Marriages.
However, there are distinct differences between civil marriages and customary marriages.
The main difference between the two kinds of marriages is that men customarily married can have several wives, while those choosing a civil marriage cannot. There are also different ways of solemnising these marriages.
Besides civil marriages and customary marriages, there is a civil partnership.
This is the informal living together of a couple on a genuine domestic basis but without any marriage whatsoever.
The new Act states that any property or assets acquired during the partnership will be distributed in the same way that property is distributed when a married couple divorces, using the same law.
In all marriages and civil partnerships, both partners have to be aged 18 or over and there has to be explicit agreement by both partners.
Underage marriages and forced marriages will result in those involved, except the child or the forced partner, facing criminal charges and jail terms of up to five years.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/new-act-unifies-all-marriage-laws/">The Herald</a></h4>

President Mnangagwa Assents To Marriages Act

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<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="568" id="video-151171-1" preload="metadata" width="320"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Valentine.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Valentine.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Valentine.mp4</a></video></div>

WATCH: Valentine Tragedy - Man Humiliated In Public As Marriage Proposal Is Spurned

The cabinet on Thursday approved the Marriages Amendment Bill, which will see the repeal and replacement of the Customary Marriages Act (Chapter 5:07) and the Marriages Act (Chapter 5:11).
The proposed amendment will, among a plethora of other things, licence civil partnerships which are not classified as marriage under current laws.
Commenting on the development, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Publicity, Ndavaningi Nick Mangwa said:
<blockquote>Zimbabwean culture and attendant attitudes changing fast. Zimbabwe is going to license Civil Partnerships as marriages under the Marriages Act and nobody bats an eyelid! There was a time when there would have been outcries of “They are promoting kuchaya mapoto(co-habitation)”.</blockquote>
The new law will outlaw same-sex marriages, and child marriages as well as recognise marriages solemnised by “mapostori” and Muslim clerics.

New Marriage Law To Legalise "Kuchaya Mapoto"

Zimbabwe International, Tendai Ndoro tied the knot over the weekend with his longtime girlfriend.
Ndoro wrote a message to his beautiful bride on his Instagram account. The message reads:
<blockquote>I dont want to win the race of life by being the fastest runner,i want to win it by walking slowly hand to hand with u my WIFE. As we grow older together,as we continue to change with age,therz one thing that will never change…i will always keep falling in love with u..May ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS US</blockquote>
The striker is currently on a season break from his Saudi Arabian side Al Faisal.
More: <a href="https://www.soccer24.co.zw/2017/12/21/tendai-ndoro-ties-knot/">Soccer24</a>

Tendai Ndoro Gets Married

Controversial businessman, <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Wicknell_Chivayo" target="_blank">Wicknell Chivayo</a> has said that he has decided to marry a Zulu girl because “Zimbabwean girls are very disrespectful and stubborn”. Posting on Facebook where he showed off a picture of an apparent Zulu girl that he says he’s going to marry, Wicknell also suggested that Zimbabwean women are loose saying they are “EVERYWHERE doing EVERYTHING with EVERYONE…”
<blockquote>I’ve finally decided to marry this SOUTH AFRICAN girl from the village. We had a good discussion but she asked why can’t you marry back home ?I said I think most of our ZIMBABWEAN girls are very disrespectful and stubborn. I said as a matter of principle no WEALTHY man wants a girl that’s EVERYWHERE doing EVERYTHING with EVERYONE…I’m attracted to intelligence…I said to her don’t get me wrong the light skin and a perfectly crafted body will certainly get my attention but sooner or later I’ll get bored with it and i ALWAYS DO….. I need you to outsmart me. Make me feel like I can learn something from you and grow with you. I told her if you do that and you can have me FOREVER….</blockquote>

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