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Rumbidzai Zinyuke-Herald Reporter
Cabinet has approved the Guardianship of Minors Amendment Bill, 2020, which will allow parents of a minor, whether married or otherwise, to exercise their rights of guardianship and custody.
Speaking at the post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the Bill sought to align provisions of the Guardianship of Minors Act [Chapter 5:08] to the Constitution.
“The Bill provides for the exercise of joint guardianship and custody of parents,” she said. “The nation is advised that the parents of a minor, whether married or otherwise, shall exercise their rights of guardianship and custody in consultation with each other: provided that where the parents are not living together as husband and wife, the custodial parent shall exercise all guardianship rights in relation to the child in his or her custody, unless the non-custodial parent by virtue of a court order (whether maintenance order, order of divorce or otherwise) is required to be consulted on any issue in connection with joint guardianship of the child,” she said.
In connection with the order maintenance of the minor (whether or not as part of an order for divorce or separation), Minister Mutsvangwa said the court would expressly give any direction as to the manner in which the joint guardianship would be shared or exercised.
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