One of the fundamental steps taken by the Zimbabwean government after independence was the elimination of all forms of social inequalities, be they political, economic or legal. In the area of customary family law, the Government has embarked on a sustained programme of legislative reform aimed at replacing customary laws and traditions that are considered unjust. This issue does not yet have a description. Can you add one? Contains bibliographical references (pp. 225-227). “WO 41/84”. HARARE, 19 & 20 March 2019, 5 & 12 April 2019 and 3 June 2020 If you buy books through these links, the Internet Archive may earn a small commission. A new system of customary courts, easily accessible to the majority of the population, has been introduced, as well as a new criterion for choice of law on social basis designed to ensure maximum flexibility in deciding whether customary or common law applies to a particular civil matter. The Legal Age of Majority Act, which grants majority status to African women, modifies many aspects of customary law that are unjust. Women now have full legal capacity and can therefore own property, enter into contracts without the assistance of a man, prosecute and be sued as of right, enabling them to assert and defend their rights. Other laws give women the right to seek custody of their children and, if they have received it, to claim a contribution to their maintenance. They are now entitled to an equitable share of marital property upon dissolution of the marriage.
HARARE, 11 September 6, 12 & 28 October & 4 November 2020 HARARE, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 January & 17 & 18 February & 13 & 20 March & 20, 21 & 22 April & 10 & 11 June 2020 and 18 February 2021. Despite these progressive reforms, however, social practice lags behind in some areas. On the legal front, somewhat systematic reforms have led to a significant reduction in the operational effectiveness of customary law, so that areas such as guardianship, custody, maintenance and matrimonial property regimes are now regulated almost exclusively by law. This paper examines in detail all these reforms and issues.
