The rights of women in unregistered customary marriages in Zimbabwe: Best practices from South Africa

Zimbabwe's marriage regime is regulated by the Marriages Act No. 1 [Chapter 5:17] of 2022 (Marriage Act, 2022). According to the Marriage Act, 2022, the proprietary consequences of all marriages solemnised and registered following its provisions are regulated by the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13] of 1985 (Matrimonial Causes Act). Yet unregistered customary marriages are neither solemnised nor registered in terms of the Marriage Act, 2022. As such, a gap in law is created in which unregistered customary marriages fall beyond the regulation of the Matrimonial Causes Act at divorce. In other words, when it comes to divorce, unregistered customary marriages are not guaranteed the equitable distribution of matrimonial property contemplated by the Matrimonial Causes Act. This position affects the property, cultural and equality rights of women who are in unregistered customary marriages. It is thus recommended that Zimbabwe follow the example of South Africa, which has recognised the validity of unregistered customary marriages even at divorce. This in turn calls for the reform of marriage laws in Zimbabwe.