DIVORCE CASES SURGE IN H-TOWN

DIVORCE cases in Harare have surged with 247 applications filed at the High Court since the beginning of the year.

Thirty-one cases have already been finalised, while three have been withdrawn.

Figures from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) reveal that the trend of increasing divorce cases has been continuing since 2020.

In 2020, a total of 1 117 divorce applications were filed across the country, and the figure shot up to 1 352 in 2021.

In 2022, 1 731 were recorded, and the figure doubled last year to 2 735 cases countrywide against 13 436 recorded marriages.

There are concerns that figures could be much higher due to unregistered customary marriages, which are often terminated without involving the courts.

Economic challenges and the breakdown of the cultural family system are cited as the main reasons for the breakdown of most marriages.

Financial problems and gender equality have also led to increased disputes between couples.

“Divorce cases involving customary marriages are on the rise. We deal with most of them at community level because they were never legally registered.

“However, in some cases where properties are involved and where the two parties cannot reach a mutual agreement, we refer them to the courts,” said Chief Ndima Chimareketa of Chimanimani.

He said most couples divorced due to irreconcilable differences and gender-based violence.

“Depending on the case, sometimes, we try to counsel the couple first.

“If they still insist on divorce, we then let them be. We came up with the counselling strategy after noting that some of these young couples lack basic understanding of marriage and simply need to be taken through the steps,” he said.

Padare Men’s Forum director, Paul Gatusa, said economic challenges and the decay of the extended family system are the major causes of the breakdown of most marriages.

He urged couples to engage pastors or traditional chiefs to settle disputes in a peaceful way.

“I think it is due to the growing traditional and cultural family disintegration, which used to play a pivotal role in marriage counselling and alternative methods of marital dispute resolution,” he said.

“The sources of income in homes are shrinking and disputes are on the increase. Most family disputes revolve around financial issues. If the couples are hungry, they tend to fight or even divorce.

“Traditionally, women used to stay at home while their husbands fended for the family. Tables have turned as women are now slowly becoming breadwinners.

“Most men are failing to accept that their wives can look after them and this sparks disputes as men end up feeling inferior to their spouses.”

Dr Shelter Shenjere, a marriage counsellor, also shared disturbing statistics.

She revealed that at least two out of seven marriage-counselling cases she handles per week end in divorce.

“People no longer respect the institution of marriage. Divorce has been normalised as one of the ‘best’ ways of revenge or money-making schemes,” said Dr Shenjere.