Mudede warns on customary ‘marriages of convenience’

Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
Foreigners intending to marry Zimbabweans should be cleared by relevant authorities before entering into such marriages, the Registrar-General’s Office has said.
In a statement yesterday, Registrar-General Mr Tobaiwa Mudede said there were some foreigners, especially Asians, who fraudulently acquired Zimbabwean documents and masqueraded as locals.

“We have been having problems with people from Bangladesh. Some of them contract marriages with our local women. Others even go as far as contracting customary marriages,” he said.

Mr Mudede urged Zimbabweans to thoroughly scrutinise documents of foreigners who want to get married to them.
“These foreigners should have been cleared by the Immigration Department, the police and their embassy before entering into such marriages.
“Marriage officers are strictly advised to be on the lookout when dealing with foreigners intending to marry locals,” he said.

Mr Mudede urged traditional leaders to be alert when foreigners want to marry in areas under their jurisdiction.