Adultery and influence of social media are pushing divorce
rates in Zimbabwe as court records show that 2 100 couples divorced last year
year.
1 061 others have
separated since the beginning of this year. The Sunday Mail reports that the 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.
Another Harare lawyer, Mr Dumisani Mthombeni, said adultery
and social media platforms were also playing a notable role in collapsing some
marriages.
