The controversial small house clause in the Marriages Amendment Bill has been scrapped by the Cabinet. “Cabinet members sought clari...
The controversial small house clause in the Marriages
Amendment Bill has been scrapped by the
Cabinet.
“Cabinet members sought clarification from the Minister of
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the import of Section 40 of the
Marriages Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.
“Following the explanation by the Minister, Cabinet
observed that the concept of a ‘civil union’ or ‘partnership’ is foreign and
not consistent with Zimbabwe’s cultural norms as well as its Christian values.
Accordingly, Cabinet directed that Section 40, which bears reference to ‘Civil
Partnerships’ be removed forthwith from the proposed Marriages Amendment Bill,”
Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
Attorney General Advocate Prince Machaya said when two
people decide to live together outside the law and expectation of society they
should not expect protection from authorities because they did not accrue
additional rights such as legitimately married persons.
He said it was only people who were legally married whose
status at law should change and could enforce against each other upon
dissolution of such union.
“There is nothing that the authorities or the State can do
to protect them from what I can term the deliberateness of their own actions,
they are aware of what they are doing and what those type of relationships are
viewed by society, so people should not cry foul that they are not being
protected,” said Adv Machaya.
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