139 divorce applications were submitted at the High Court by the end of February, which is surprising given the divorce statistics that BULAWAYO has been recording since the year began.
Nine of the 139 divorce cases that were filed in the Bulawayo High Court have already reached a conclusion, underscoring the seriousness of this trend.
658 divorces were recorded in Bulawayo last year, and data from the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) indicates that the number of divorce cases in the area is trending rising.
The number of divorces filed by couples nationwide increased to 1,351 in 2021 from 1,117 in 2020.
The number of cases nationwide increased to 2, 735 last year from 13, 436 weddings that were officially recorded.
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According to official statistics, 20 percent of Zimbabwean marriages that are registered are expected to end in divorce. This statistic worries analysts since it represents a troubling social trend.
In many countries, getting a divorce is considered a last resort, but it usually has a bad effect on the parties involved, their kids, their families, and the community.
The community is nonetheless concerned about the causes of these marital dissolutions.
In interviews, family law specialists and social critics cited a number of causes for the increase in divorces, including socioeconomic difficulties, adultery, and gender-based violence (GBV).
They also mentioned poor communication and harassment on social media as significant factors contributing to divorce nationwide.
Gender-based violence (GBV) and lack of commitment—the most common reason for divorce—are two of the main causes of divorces, according to Ms. Sethulo Ncube, regional director of the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA).
“Marriage is not always easy, and in order for it to succeed, both partners must be committed to the other and serious about making it work.
“Therefore, it is understandable that a couple’s failure to commit could have disastrous consequences,” she stated.
According to local attorney Mr. Tinashe Runganga, cultural blending is a crucial factor in divorce proceedings.
He claimed that although divorce is frowned upon in African culture and custom, it has become inevitable due to globalisation and the passing of time.
One factor that indicates a higher chance of divorce is cohabitation prior to marriage. Compared to couples that live together prior to marriage, those who do not cohabitate before marriage have a longer-lasting connection, according to Mr. Runganga.
The durability of a couple’s relationship is also influenced by the stability of their marriage within their social circle. A couple’s chances of divorcing are increased if they have friends who have divorced.
Dr. Rocky Moyo, the leader of the Council for Churches in Africa, stated that there are a variety of reasons why marriages end in divorce, including adultery, financial hardships, a lack of closeness and communication, violence within the institution of marriage, and unsolved conflicts.
“An other major factor in divorce is infidelity. Relationships that are meant to be monogamous might become irreversibly destroyed when one partner doesn’t live up to the expectations of the partnership, according to him.
According to Dr. Moyo, an increase in divorce cases is also a result of domestic abuse.
In addition to being a serious crime, domestic abuse is frequently experienced by divorced spouses. Despite its advantages in typical circumstances, an uncontested divorce mediated by a mediator might not be the best course of action, he added.
Dr. Moyo stated that ignorance about the requirements of marriage is another factor that leads to divorce.
According to Nonhlanhla Gwebu, a family therapist, fundamental incompatibility and financial difficulties are two of the main causes of the growth in divorce cases.
She claimed that substance abuse, marital violence, and adultery are the last straws in divorce cases.
There isn’t a single element that causes a marriage to fail. Numerous issues might arise for couples. There would be a tipping moment that would drive them over the line, according to people who dissolve their unions, she added.
Infidelity was the most common problem that led to divorce when there was a tipping point. When a marriage breaks down, there’s usually a lot of blame to assign.
According to psychotherapist Ms. Thandolwethu Mafu, gender equality—which has seen women enter the workforce and occasionally take on the role of breadwinners—is also a factor in marriages failing.
In the past, wives would stay at home and support their families while their husbands went to work. The roles have now reversed, with women gradually taking on the role of breadwinners, according to Ms. Mafu.
The majority of men don’t think their wives are capable of taking care of them. Arguments have arisen as a result of this shift in household responsibilities since men now feel inferior.
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