Polygamy in Zimbabwe

Legality

In Zimbabwean civil law, the Marriage Act of Zimbabwe only recognises monogamous marriages. However, the majority of marriages in Zimbabwe are customary; the relevant African Marriages Act of Zimbabwe recognises both polygamous and "potentially polygamous" unions. Most of these customary marriages are unregistered.

Incidence

Polygamy in Zimbabwe was traditionally practised by the tribal chiefs as a means of elevating their social standing, though they would typically only take two or three wives. According to a 2008 William & Mary Law School study, an estimated 18 percent of Zimbabwean women belong to polygamous marriages. The study suggested that there may be a decrease in the incidence of polygamy in Zimbabwe due to an ever-weakening economy that would not enable men to financially support multiple partners.

Polygamy in Zimbabwe has been criticised by various mainstream Christian groups that 80 percent of the country identify with.

Notable marriages

In September 2012, Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai customarily married Elizabeth Macheka, following a court ruling that he could not legally marry her in light of his already being engaged to two other women, Locardia Karimatsenga and Nosipho Regina Shilubane. However, a spokesperson for Tsvangirai said that the prime minister only wished to have one wife.

References

References

1. "Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11)". Zimbabwe Legal Information Institute.
2. Gher, Jaime M.. "Polygamy and Same-Sex Marriage – Allies or Adversaries Within the Same-Sex Marriage Movement". William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice.
3. Wilfred N. Tichagwa. (1994). "Children and Women in Zimbabwe: A Situation Analysis, Update 1994". UNICEF.
4. Megan J. Smith. (2008). "Child Sexual Abuse: Issues and Challenges". Nova Publishers.
5. (16 September 2012). "Zimbabwe PM marries woman under polygamy custom". [[Reuters]].