The New Marriage Bill Promotes Adultery in Marriages says Lawyers.

Zimbabwean lawyers have said that the New Marriage Bill passed by president Mnangagwa promotes adultery.

The law introduced civil partnerships and as qualified civil marriage. The law also revoked the Marriages Act(Chapter 5:11) and customary Act Chapter 5:07.

The new law recognises unregistered customary law unions as marriage.

A lawyer who spoke under anonymity said “This law will promote and protect adultery and the so-called Small Houses will benefit more than the first wife who should be protected. Effectively the civil law marriage is now polygamous”.

This exposes women more than it protects them and it is a breeding ground for fights in courts by women fighting over their husbands’ properties since both will be recognised.