LOBOLA NO LONGER MANDATORY

Lobola is no longer mandatory under the New Marriages Act. Men can now pay lobola only if they want to as a bride price is now a moral decis...

Lobola is no longer mandatory under the New Marriages Act. Men can now pay lobola only if they want to as a bride price is now a moral decision.

The Herald reports that the director of the Law Development Commission (LDC), Ms Netsai Zvakasikwa, told a meeting in Masvingo that lobola payment is no longer obligatory.

Mrs Zvakasikwa said the LDC is focused on unravelling speculations around the issue since some traditional leaders see it as an imminent threat to Zimbabwe’s prevalent marriage culture.

“Chiefs have expressed disapproval of the Civil Marriages Act provision stating that ‘roora’ consideration is no longer a requirement. However, as indigenous Zimbabweans, we are attempting to make it clear that we did not create the civil marriage system; rather, we inherited it.”