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Violet Chenyika
MORE than 2 100 couples divorced last year, while 1 061 others have separated since the beginning of this year, court records show.
Latest High Court records indicate that 2 149 cases were heard and settled last year, with the High Court in Harare handling the lion’s share, at 1 539.
There were 392 divorce matters before the Bulawayo High Court, while the Masvingo court settled 92 matters, with courts in Chinhoyi and Mutare hearing 36 and 90 cases, respectively.
However, this year, the Bulawayo High Court has heard more than half of the 1 061 divorce matters so far, at 600 cases.
But the Harare High Court has heard 307 matters, while Mutare (86), Masvingo (56) and Chinhoyi (12) complete the cases.
Harare lawyer Advocate Tina Kadhau of T. Kadhau Law Chambers said irreconcilable differences, infidelity, loss of love and affection, as well as loss of conjugal rights, were some of the common grounds for divorce.
She said it was important to follow the tenets of property division, spousal maintenance and child custody, as outlined in the Matrimonial Causes Act.
“In sharing property, the court will have to apply provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act to arrive at a just and equitable distribution arrangement,” she said.
Another Harare lawyer, Mr Dumisani Mthombeni, said adultery and social media platforms were also playing a notable role in collapsing some marriages.
He warned of the devastating consequences of adultery, including violence, depression and suicide, among others.
Online Reporter